What do people at Optiv Security think about the CEO? What do they do well and what can they improve?

He’s genuinely one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He builds relationships well and sets a great example for employees; expresses passion for the corporate mission and expresses belief in his people. He should have more power to effect change; promote from within instead of allowing key reports to hire in (questionably qualified) friends. Needs to show he can put together a strategic plan and what the steps are to execute - instead of the current culture of withheld information (the few senior leaders “in the know” and the rest of us) and rumor mill. Too much and too frequent change. Disjointed leadership team. No known “go to market strategy”; no ability to translate from strategy to tactical execution - in any area of the company. Inconsistent message; we claim to be a services company, but comp plans, marketing budgets, and (lack of) investment in a mature portfolio mgmt lifecycle are demonstrably inconsistent with this high-level “messaging”. Hire a CMO w/Svcs experience.

Dan Burns is extremely likable and down-to-earth. He's approachable and seems to genuinely care about his people and this company. He needs to articulate a plan as to how Optiv is going to succeed in the market going forward. We need key points of a plan, and to see evidence of that plan being executed. We've all taken a hit compensation-wise; he needs to remember not all of us have equity in the company.

The CEO has to be the nicest, most genuine man associated with this company! Unfortunately, it seems like he’s not willing to make the hard decisions that could make this company great.

The CEO is a great guy with some difficult decisions ahead of him.