Jon Wakefield, Consultant at Via Resource and Lisa Ventura MBE, Founder of Cyber Security Unity discuss various topics related to neurodiversity and imposter syndrome. Here's a summary of the key points from the conversation:

·       Imposter Syndrome Awareness: Lisa discusses the creation of International Imposter Syndrome Awareness Day, a day dedicated to discussing and addressing imposter syndrome. She emphasises the importance of raising awareness and encouraging open conversations about how imposter syndrome affects individuals in their careers.

·       Imposter Syndrome and Neurodiversity: The conversation delves into how imposter syndrome is often more pronounced in neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD or autism. Lisa shares her personal experiences with imposter syndrome, dating back to her school days, and how it has affected her throughout her career.

·       ADHD Diagnosis: Lisa discusses her ADHD diagnosis and how it has provided her with a better understanding of her neurodivergent traits. She mentions her experiences with borderline personality disorder traits and the therapeutic techniques that have helped her manage them.

·       Handling Imposter Syndrome: The conversation explores how neurodivergent individuals can cope with imposter syndrome. Lisa and Jon share their experiences of feeling like impostors despite their achievements and accolades.

·       Gender Pay Gap: Lisa reveals a personal experience with a gender pay gap, where she was offered a role with a lower salary than her male counterpart. The importance of addressing gender pay disparities in the cyber security industry is highlighted.

·       Toxic Workplace Culture: Lisa shares her experience working in a toxic workplace with bullying and how it led her to leave the organisation. The impact of toxic individuals on an organisation's culture and employee morale is discussed.

·       The Importance of Dealing with Toxicity: The conversation emphasises the significance of addressing toxic individuals within organisations to retain talented employees and maintain a healthy work environment.

·       Progress and Challenges: The discussion concludes by acknowledging the progress made in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace while recognising the continued challenges and areas where improvements are needed.

About Our Host Jon And Guest Lisa​

Jon Wakefield, Consultant At Via Resource​

Jon joined Via Resource with a year of recruitment experience in the Cyber Security market, where he specialises in Security Engineering and DFIR.

Having placed candidates from Senior Manager Security Engineering to mid-level in highly regulated industries such as finance; Jon has built a comprehensive understanding of both candidate and client needs and addresses each role, and person, on an individual basis to find the perfect fit.

As an avid Star Wars fan, you will often see or hear Jon making connections and references to cyber security. Jon has ADHD and is an avid supporter of neurodivergent talent in the workplace.

Lisa Ventura MBE is an award-winning cyber security specialist, writer and keynote speaker. She is the Founder of Cyber Security Unity, a global community organisation that is dedicated to bringing individuals and companies together who actively work in cyber security to help combat the growing cyber threat. She is in high demand as a speaker and writer on various topics in cyber security including the cyber skills gap, career pathways into the industry, managing mental health and burnout, imposter syndrome, combatting bullying and abuse in the cyber security industry and the human factors/elements of cyber security. She is also a cyber security mindset and mental health coach and offers help and support to those affected by stress, burnout, bullying/abuse and mental health issues in cyber security and Infosec. In June 2023 she was awarded an MBE in King Charles III’s birthday honours list for services to cyber security and diversity and inclusion.