Before we get into it, you might be thinking, “Sup with the disco ball, Erin? Wouldn’t a spotlight image make more sense for this post?” Fair. But here’s the thing: a spotlight shines on one person. A disco ball? It reflects light in every direction, and that felt way more fitting for the vibe of this tribute.
Plus… I’m a dancer, remember? So yeah — disco ball it is.
My last post, with one exception, was pretty much Ladies Night in blog form — highlighting 5 female entrepreneurs, one girlfriend, and the T-shirt she got me from yet another Bay Area Boss Lady who owns Ibiss Boutique. But today, friends, I come with a special edition two-fer for ya.
While the spotlight includes yours truly (see below), it shines just as brightly, if not more, on the people who put me in the spotlight in the first place. (Hence the disco ball.)
Friend In The Spotlight by Bob Zinga
Yes, this feature is about me, and yes, I’d love for you to read it, watch the teaser and trailer, and see the rad stuff I’ve been working on. It’s part of the FITS series: Friend In The Spotlight — and I was deeply honored to be selected.
But more than that?
I want to honor the man behind it: Bob Fabien “BZ” Zinga.
Because Bob isn’t just running a LinkedIn series. He’s not just spotlighting professionals. He’s showing us what leadership looks like when it’s rooted in service, not ego. In presence, not pretense.
Let me tell you why that matters.
Bob Zinga is LinkedIn’s #1 content creator for #GlobalLeaders and #RiskAndResilience in the U.S. He’s a Naval Commanding Officer (holding a position within the top 2% of over 400,000 Navy personnel). A strategist. A cyber expert. A mentor. A man of wisdom. A leader’s leader.
And yet somehow — somehow — this man still makes time to uplift others. And write the neatest stories about his friends around the world.
He doesn’t just post about community, visibility, or legacy. He practices it. Intentionally. Generously. Without performative fluff. And without needing the spotlight to be on him.
I didn’t even have to ask — Bob offered help I didn’t realize I needed. That kind of presence? That kind of full-hearted backing?
Bob doesn’t just see you, he dives in with both feet.
That’s rare. That’s leadership.
One2Watch by decodingCyber’s Michael F. D. Anaya
And speaking of rare leadership…
Last month also brought another feature I’m still beaming about — the One2Watch spotlight curated by Michael F. D. Anaya, the brilliant mind behind decodingCyber. What Michael and team are building is fresh, sharp, and dripping with metro-cool intelligence. His approach to cybersecurity makes complex topics human, and his mission is loud and clear: elevate the conversation, uplift the people doing the work, and make cyber simple without making it small.
Michael isn’t just a cybersecurity visionary, former FBI Agent, or “humor and great eyelashes,” as some might say. He’s a connector, a storyteller, and a leader who knows the power of putting others on. His proven 3‑step formula (find exceptional people, arm them with knowledge, then challenge them to evolve) isn’t just a strategy — it’s a way of building stronger teams and better humans.
He’s delivered over 500 talks globally, not just because he’s smart, but because he makes us smarter. And, no joke, a meeting with Michael is like a sit-down with Shaq: elite-level skill, defense game on lock, hilarious, with a rando analogy that somehow always hits. Like this one…
And just like Bob, Michael’s moving differently.
So yeah, when someone like these gents shines a light on your work? You don’t just feel seen, you feel lifted.
“It’s Just Two Points” — Tim Treat
Before Bob and Michael, there was Tim — the first leader who saw something in me I couldn’t yet see in myself. Tim Treat didn’t just encourage me to step into senior leadership. He nudged, pushed, and practically insisted on it.
At the time, I wasn’t aiming for a new title. Other teammates were more vocal, more eager. But during a 1:1, Tim, whom I reported to then, casually dropped the idea that I should consider a senior leadership role. I laughed. He didn’t.
Tim had vision. With nearly 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and a career spanning Cyber Operations and Defense, he was the brains behind the groundbreaking work in our division. He knew how to spot people and possibilities before they fully formed. He also knew exactly when to drop the perfect coaching line—like when I bombed (ooo, and I mean BOMBED) my first major stage presentation and wanted to crawl into a hole. He gave me a priceless pep talk and told me, “It’s just two points.” Which in this case meant: miss one shot, shoot again. The next day, I nailed it. And let me remind you, I’m not talking about behind a screen, folks. This all went down in person, in front of a large, wide, and deep all-hands meeting room, so you know what else I got? My confidence back. Promoted. A monthly speaking series.
That one line shifted my whole path.
Vision matters. And I wouldn’t be telling these other stories if it weren’t for the first leader who handed me the ball and told me to shoot.
The Real Takeaway
Faith, humility, and character at work are not just nice words for my tagline — they’re the filter I use to see the modern workplace. They’re the standard I aim to meet, and they’re what I look for in the people I align with.
These men are three of those people. And this two-fer is a tribute to both the present and the past.
Whether it’s Bob’s generosity, Michael’s clarity, or Tim’s vision, these men don’t just see talent, they amplify it. Boldly. Whole-heartedly. Differently.
And if you’re someone who cares about how we lead and how we show up for one another, especially in spaces not always designed for us to shine, then I want to make sure you see them, too.
Yes, I hope you’ll read these features. (Your girl is still grinning with sore cheeks.) I hope you’ll follow their work. I hope you’ll be reminded that real leadership doesn’t need the mic, but when it speaks, people rise.
Oh, and fun fact: thanks to Bob, I think this might be my first time starring on YouTube 🙂
A note from Erin: Thank you for being here! If these ideas or perspectives resonate with you, I’d love for you to subscribe or share them with someone you care about. If you want to make a change or when the time feels right, I’m here to help. Check out my NEW WEBSITE to explore how we can collaborate—or swing by my “CONTACT” page to say hello, ask a question, or start a conversation.
