Balancing Risk and Innovation

In the latest episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole kicks things off with an empowering reminder that it's the little things that often make the biggest difference. He challenges listeners to adopt a simple but powerful habit—repeat the affirmation “I am a world-class CISO” at least ten times a day. Why? Because repetition trains the mind to believe. Dr. Cole explains how our brains are goal-achieving machines, and when we’re vague about what we want, we might get results we didn’t intend. So instead of saying, “I want to be a CISO,” he urges us to define exactly what that means and aim higher: world-class.

This episode dives into the power of affirmations, intention, and mindset. Dr. Cole shares how creating and regularly reviewing a detailed written vision of your future self as a world-class CISO can help anchor that affirmation in reality. The idea is to replace negative internal voices with empowering declarations and make these part of your daily rhythm—while brushing your teeth, driving, or walking between meetings. And once that belief is solidified, you can shift your focus to new growth areas, aligning your “I am” statements with your weekly, monthly, or yearly goals. It’s a masterclass in mental conditioning, identity shaping, and becoming the version of yourself you truly aspire to be.