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 every day. And those lessons are incredibly relevant to any engineering leader trying to drive change across teams.

In our latest ELC Podcast episode with Srinath Kuruvadi (Head of Cloud Security @ JPMorgan Chase), we explored what security leadership teaches you about influence, time management, and innovation.

https://elc.community/home/podcasts/influencing-without-authority-what-every-engineering-leader-can-learn-from-security-srinath-kuruvadi-jpmorganchase

1. 🧠 Frame the Problem in Stakeholder Language

“Don't just show up with your priorities. Learn theirs first. That's when influence begins.”

 Before pitching a solution, understand what your stakeholder 

—their metrics, priorities, and constraints. Then reframe the security issue in their language.

2. ✅ Define Shared Outcomes Upfront—Write Them Down

 Srinath uses a lightweight doc to align on outcomes 

 executing. It includes shared definitions of success, metrics, constraints, and “definition of done.”


This prevents misalignment later, and gives everyone a reference point when things shift.

3. 🧭 Audit Your Calendar Weekly to Realign with Priorities

 Srinath sets aside 30 mins every Sunday to reflect on where his time went and whether it matches his leadership goals.


“Did I spend time on what matters—or just what felt urgent?”

“What should I stop, delegate, or double down on?”

This self-check is a scalable way to stay focused and lead more intentionally.

4. 🧪 Structure Innovation Time Around Real Pain Points

 Give teams 20% time, but with constraints:

Projects must solve a real pain point they own 

Time-bound, scoped, and stakeholder-aligned 

This ensures experimentation stays grounded and delivers impact, not “innovation theater.”

5. ⚠️ Validate AI Claims with This Test

“Show me how this actually works in my context.”


If the vendor or team can’t walk you through the full value path, from data input to outcome, it’s likely overhyped.


What Security Leaders Know About Influence That Every Eng Leader Should Learn

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