Management by walking around

I am a big believer in management by walking around. If individuals only come to you when there are issues or feedback, then insights are limited. It's better that the manager actively seeks dialogue at times. One way to achieve that is by wandering around the organization and chatting with people. A good place could be the kitchen area; be involved, learn from others, discuss and brainstorm ideas, and, most importantly, actively listen. These conversations can include individuals from other teams, not just your own group. This is an effective long-term investment for building and leading an effective offensive program. You will hardly encounter anyone who does not have an interest in security. The individuals you will encounter can share pain points first-hand and highlight problems, such as security processes that are being put in place that reduce their productivity. Some individuals will also have great attack ideas or share some vulnerabilities and problems that they are aware of but haven't gotten traction on. What's better than sending in the red team?

To become an effective manager and leader, an open-door policy for encouraging the individuals to raise issues and problems directly is important. At times, you will not like the suggestions, but the feedback from the team and organization is what will help you understand your own deficiencies and allow for adjustments and improvements.

Also, get feedback from other stakeholders about the offensive program and your own work as an individual.