Had a good friend and colleague who made an interesting point about how/why a security role can get depressing.
What happens if your security program is really really really effective?
Answer: Nothing
What happens if your security program is really really really effective?
Answer: Nothing
You can be a security superstar, or a total idiot, and you may achieve the same result!
It often seems like a myth when you hear about that phenomenon, but then I experienced this myself in a different role myself and became a believer.
It could still be the peter principle, and that you need to better communicate your unseen accomplishments. Maybe there should be a modified peter principle, where people rise according to their ability in the job and corporate politics.