Topic: From Firefighting To Strategic Focus: Overcoming Workforce Gaps To Drive IT Performance
As cybersecurity and IT teams face rising threat complexity and a shrinking talent pipeline, many leaders are stuck in reactive mode—undermining trust, adoption, and long-term strategy. Based on insights from a cross-sector study with 14 senior IT and IS leaders, this session reveals three key shifts needed to strengthen internal alignment, accelerate results, and lead effectively through change. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to build influence, adaptability, and team resilience—even with limited resources.
The IT and cybersecurity landscape is under immense pressure—shaped by rapid innovation, rising threat complexity, and a workforce pipeline that’s struggling to keep up. Many teams find themselves in constant firefighting mode, unable to fully leverage the systems, talent, or strategic priorities at their disposal.
In this session, Christine Springer, Founder and CEO of Rising Culture Group, shares insights from a cross-sector study of 14 senior IT and IS leaders—including those leading security, infrastructure, and digital transformation. The findings expose critical yet often overlooked internal risks: eroding trust, lagging tech adoption, and leadership pipelines that aren’t built to meet today’s demands.
Attendees will walk away with:
- A 3-part framework to shift out of reactive mode and build long-term strategic capacity
- Real-world examples of how technical leaders are developing power skills to drive alignment, influence, and resilience
- Practical steps to strengthen team adaptability and internal service—even with a leaner bench
If your team is stretched thin, under pressure, or navigating high-stakes change, this session will offer actionable strategies to lead more effectively in uncertain times.
Speaker: Christine Springer, Founder and CEO of Rising Culture Group
Christine Springer is the Founder of Rising Culture Group and a trusted advisor to leaders seeking to drive results while creating a supportive environment for team growth. With a background in Psychology from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Texas Woman’s University, Christine has spent her entire career helping people and organizations.
Christine and her team specialize in helping technical leaders migrate from expert contributors to trusted leaders who can inspire buy-in and drive strategic outcomes.
Christine is certified in Everything DiSC and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team. She is also a certified coach.
