Today’s Best Advice Q&A comes from Sam Ward, chief commercial officer and vice president of global sales at IQSIGHT. He shares the best advice he’s ever heard, gives pointers to security industry pros on the rise and gives insight on his ultimate business muse.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Sam Ward: The best piece of advice I’ve received was to consider that if everything worked smoothly, none of us would be needed. As leaders we need to embrace the friction, the effort and the frustration because that is what progress actually feels like.
If you think about it, what have you ever done in your life that was both easy and genuinely fulfilling? At the end of the day, it is human nature to seek out that hard-won progress.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Ward: Always assume positive intent. Most folks you meet share that same fundamental drive for doing what’s right and getting the best outcomes. If you just start rowing the boat in the right direction together, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve traveled when you look back over your shoulder.
SSI: If you could point to one person in the security industry and tell up-and-comers, “Make sure to listen to what they have to say,” whom would you pick and why?
Ward: Look outside your own backyard for motivation and growth. You should already know what’s happening inside our industry so step out of your usual circles and tune into other markets and fields. Audiobooks are a fantastic way to do this since we are all extremely busy in today’s world.
Personally, I look to sports as it can teach you a lot when it comes to resilience and execution. If anyone thinks an athlete ever won a gold medal entirely on their own, dream on! They had a team, a solid plan and they got right back up every time they fell over. That’s an important mindset to bring into your work.
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