Amanda Andersen’s career story reads like a series of unexpected plot twists, each one adding depth and perspective to her management philosophy today.
For 23 years, she danced through life as a ballet performer, even joining a dance company. Later, she shifted gears to run a nail salon business for a decade, honing her entrepreneurial skills, before stepping into property management as a landlord for three years. And if that wasn’t enough, Amanda also worked as a proof operator and bookkeeper in the banking industry before transitioning into computer security.
Each chapter of Amanda’s journey — whether spent learning the discipline of dance, managing clients at her salon, or navigating the complexities of the cybersecurity world — has informed her approach as a leader.
Today, as a senior manager of penetration testing at Veracode, Amanda brings her vast life experience to the table, guiding her team with a blend of structure, empathy, and adaptability. We caught up with Amanda to hear her leadership story, including her perspective on the top qualities of a great manager.
Path to leadership
After spending over a decade in penetration testing and reverse engineering as a cybersecurity research engineer, Amanda found herself in a career-defining moment.
“I transitioned into a leadership role as a senior manager of threat and vulnerability management,” Amanda recalls. “The biggest challenge I faced in moving into management was shifting from being a hands-on contributor to focusing on delegation and trusting my team to execute tasks.”
Learning to balance a project management mindset with effective delegation required intentional growth — and a willingness to step out of her comfort zone.
“Another significant challenge was learning to make bold, fearless decisions,” she admits. Her solution? A mantra that continues to guide her today: What’s the worst that could happen? By pairing this mindset with proactive planning, Amanda gained the confidence to make tough calls, even when the stakes were high.
When the opportunity arose to join Veracode, Amanda was ready to embrace a fresh chapter in her career with a company at the forefront of software security innovation. By embracing new challenges and joining a workplace that values professional development, Amanda has built a management philosophy grounded in trust, adaptability, and growth.
And now, she’s ready to share her take on the qualities of a great manager.
5 qualities of a great manager
1. Be organized — and know how to prioritize
For Amanda, effective management starts with focus and intentionality. “Set your three most important tasks each day,” she advises. “Focus on tasks that will have the greatest impact and complete them before moving on to anything else.” She also highlights the value of single-tasking and minimizing distractions: “Avoid multitasking during focused work by batching smaller tasks together and scheduling specific blocks of time for them. This helps maintain productivity and prevents task-switching fatigue.”
Even tools designed to boost communication, like Slack, can become distractions if not managed properly. Amanda recommends balancing responsiveness with maintaining focus: “Monitor communication tools like Slack without letting them rule your day.” Setting boundaries ensures that high-priority objectives stay on track while remaining accessible to her team when it matters most.
2. Be a good listener and coach
“Provide a safe and judgment-free sounding board for your team,” Amanda encourages. By fostering trust, Amanda creates an environment where team members can share their ideas and concerns openly.
Coaching, she believes, is also essential for building strong teams. “Focus on development,” Amanda advises. “Coaching your team members allows them to grow their skills and confidence.”
One of her favorite tools for coaching is the GROW model: Goal, Reality, Options, Will. It’s a simple framework that Veracode teaches all managers, that helps guide conversations by focusing on what’s important, exploring possibilities, and figuring out actionable next steps.
3. Delegate efficiently
Delegation can be a tool for both empowering your team and maintaining focus on higher-level priorities. “Delegation ensures you’re not overwhelmed by tasks that can be handled by others,” Amanda explains. It’s also a chance to help team members grow. “It empowers your team by giving them opportunities to take ownership, build skills, and demonstrate their capabilities.”
However, delegation doesn’t end with assigning tasks. “Holding your team accountable is crucial,” she says. “It shows them that you’re keeping track of their performance, the team’s metrics, and overall success. This accountability adds an extra layer of motivation to ensure things get done right and helps maintain focus on achieving shared goals.”
4. Show you care
“Taking the time to understand [your team members’] strengths, goals, and challenges helps you provide better support and align their contributions with the team’s success,” Amanda shares. For example, even when working in a virtual environment, she likes to simulate “water cooler conversations” to help build camaraderie.
Amanda also emphasizes the importance of one-on-one meetings, especially in a remote environment. “When schedule changes impact a pre-scheduled one-on-one, aim to reschedule it rather than canceling, whenever possible.”
5. Make decisions confidently
Making decisions with confidence — and often, with the help of others — is a skill Amanda has honed throughout her career. “Get input when necessary,” she advises. “Involving the team in decision-making when appropriate helps ensure diverse perspectives are considered and builds buy-in for the chosen direction.”
At the same time, Amanda recognizes the importance of avoiding delays caused by overthinking. “Know when to act independently. Avoid analysis paralysis by making decisions on your own when you already have clarity.” By striking a balance between collaboration and decisive action, Amanda ensures her team maintains progress and achieves goals effectively.
Advice for aspiring managers
No matter where you are on your own management journey, Amanda offers a roadmap for growth through learning, mentorship, and self-reflection.
“Take advantage of training programs offered by your company to enhance your knowledge and expertise. Connect with successful managers you admire, seek their advice, and learn from their tips and strategies. Consider joining a mentorship program for personalized guidance and support.”
Books like “The Power of Less” by Leo Babauta and “Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson are personal favorites that Amanda revisits to keep her management skills sharp.
While leadership development may demand effort and focus, nothing compares to the fulfillment of seeing your team excel and celebrating those wins together.
As Amanda puts it: “Seeing the smiles on their faces when they succeed, knowing I played a part in their journey, is what makes it all worthwhile — especially when we achieve success together as a team.”
Grow your management skills with Veracode, a leading application security company that values professional development. Explore career opportunities with Veracode today.
