Build: Innovative Leadership in Security

By Chris Cesena, Vice President of Operations

"Build" is an engrossing and inspiring book for those in the corporate security industry. It delves into innovation, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, offering valuable insights and practical advice to help companies in any industry reach their goals.

One theme that resonates within the security field is customer-focused leadership. With ever-changing customer needs and preferences, the book emphasizes that being adaptable to their requirements is essential instead of holding on to rigid ideas of the solution.

The importance of getting your hands dirty and being willing to care about every step of the process is also emphasized. By being willing to put in the work and truly understanding every aspect of the process, leaders can ensure that their services meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness.

Another key insight is the importance of building connections with the best of the best, people who truly inspire and challenge you. This is especially relevant at SIS, where collaboration and cooperation between work groups within the company can be critical for success. By building relationships with other experts in the field, SIS leaders can share knowledge and expertise and work together to develop innovative solutions that meet customers' needs.

Understanding the structures, processes, and research that reinforce a company's operations is also crucial. Staying updated on the latest advancements allows companies to remain at the forefront of their industry, offering customers the best possible services.

Curiosity and genuine interest in one's work and understanding a company's goals are other essential aspects emphasized in the book. New challenges and opportunities are constantly emerging, and by staying curious and engaged, leaders can continue to learn and grow and develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of their customers.

Stepping out of one's comfort zone and communicating with different parts of the organization is also underlined. Various departments and teams may have different perspectives and concerns. Companies can deliver the best services by listening to these perspectives and working collaboratively.

Using Nest as an example, the book illustrates how challenges were tackled and solutions iterated to find the best fit for customers. One example is the creation of Nest Protect, a smoke and carbon monoxide detector. When the team discovered that the product was too complicated for users to understand, they returned to the drawing board and simplified the design to create a more intuitive and easier-to-use product. This approach to leadership and problem-solving is especially relevant to our work. Our industry evolves as new technologies emerge and threats become more complex. Leaders in this field must be adaptable and willing to iterate on their solutions until they find what works best for their customers.

For instance, in access control, embracing new technologies might seem unfamiliar to some customers. Still, by taking the time to understand their needs and educating them on the benefits of these technologies, leaders can create a more secure environment while improving the user experience.

Security leaders must deeply understand the various technologies and processes involved in creating a secure environment, including everything from video surveillance and intrusion detection systems to access control and visitor management systems. Additionally, being aware of the latest threats and vulnerabilities is essential for designing effective security strategies, requiring continuous learning and staying updated on industry developments.

In summary, "Build" serves as an excellent resource for those interested in leadership and problem-solving, with Fadell's emphasis on adaptability, collaboration, and dedication being particularly relevant in corporate security. By adopting customer-centric principles and connecting with respected experts in related fields like cybersecurity, surveillance, and risk management, security leaders can expand their knowledge and skills, develop more effective security strategies, protect their organizations, and enhance the user experience. Fadell emphasizes the importance of creating connections with the best of the best, people you genuinely respect, and your heroes. By learning from these experts and building relationships with them, security leaders can expand their knowledge and skills and be better equipped to address the challenges they face in their work.

Chris is the Vice President of Operations at SIS. Previously he served as the Sr. Director in Spec Ops. Chris joined SIS in 2013 after a 29-year career in law enforcement.