Steve Tcherchian: Return on Rock Bottom

In this episode of "Gratitude Through Hard Times," host Chris Schembra welcomes Steve Tcherchian, Chief Product Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at XY Pro, to discuss the profound impact of gratitude, resilience, and vulnerability in leadership. The conversation begins with Steve’s journey through the competitive cybersecurity industry, where he transitioned from a high-pressure, success-driven mindset to a gratitude-centered approach that transformed his personal and professional life. Steve shares his experience of hitting rock bottom after being passed up for a promotion and losing his marriage. These events became catalysts for a profound transformation, leading him to embrace gratitude and vulnerability as core principles in his leadership. Steve introduces the concept of "return on rock bottom," highlighting how the lowest points in life can lead to significant personal growth and renewed purpose. Throughout the episode, Steve and Chris explore the importance of empathy, communication, and creating a safe space for connection within teams. They discuss how leaders can turn failures into learning opportunities and persist through adversity with purpose and vision. Steve emphasizes the value of serving his team and finding joy in the service of others, contrasting this with the fleeting happiness derived from material success. This episode is a testament to the enduring power of gratitude and the importance of empathy and human connection in achieving lasting success and fulfillment. It offers listeners practical insights and strategies to navigate life's challenges with resilience and a mindset geared toward continuous improvement. Key Takeaways 1. Embracing failure as a valuable learning opportunity. 2. The importance of vulnerability in leadership. 3. Gratitude can ground us amidst chaos and stress. 4. Persistence with purpose can turn adversity into growth. 5. The concept of "return on rock bottom" as a measure of personal growth. 6. Shifting from a competitive mindset to a service-oriented approach. 7. The role of empathy and human connection in effective leadership. 8. How resilience and optimism can transform challenging situations. 9. The impact of gratitude on personal and professional fulfillment. 10. Strategies for leading teams with purpose, vision, and resilience. Quotes 1. "Gratitude grounds us all and gives us a different perspective." 2. "Rock bottom was not the end; it was the beginning of my biggest growth." 3. "You succeed because of adversity, not in spite of it." 4. "Failure is not the end; it’s just the beginning of something greater." 5. "Return on rock bottom measures the growth from our toughest times." 6. "Leaders eat last, serving their teams to drive collective success." 7. "Empathy, communication, and closeness are key to impactful leadership." 8. "Finding meaning and purpose in service brings lasting joy." 9. "Adversity and failure are the greatest teachers." 10. "Every day is a learning experience; there’s always room for growth." ABOUT OUR GUEST: Steve Tcherchian is a visionary cybersecurity executive with over 20 years of experience in the industry. In this role as Chief Product Officer and CISO, Steve leads global sales, technology, product direction, and go-to-market strategy for XYPRO’s cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that fortify the digital backbone of economies worldwide. Based on his unique leadership, strategic vision, deep cybersecurity experience and penchant for relationship building with customers and partners, Steve has helped transform XYPRO into a top tier cybersecurity provider evidenced by record growth and accelerated adoption of XYPRO’s threat detection and compliance solutions across diverse sectors. As a passionate advocate for cybersecurity, Steve is dedicated to demystifying the complexities of the industry, sharing invaluable insights and experiences across global stages as a sought-after speaker at events and conferences. His contributions extend beyond the podium; as a former member of the ISSA CISO Advisory Council, the X9 Security Standards Committee, the Forbes Tech Council, and a patent holder, he has influenced pivotal cybersecurity standards and innovations. ABOUT OUR HOST: Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours," he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times. FOLLOW CHRIS: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | BOOKS