Candice Aragon, Chief Experience Officer, PSA Network: Best Advice

We continue our Best Advice series with Candice Aragon, chief experience officer for PSA Network. She shares the best advice she’s ever heard, how she helps newcomers to the security industry and the people who offer the most insightful wisdom.

Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Candice Aragon: My dad always gave the best advice. He passed away 11 years ago and I regularly find myself wishing I could call him and talk through my latest challenge. He shaped my moral compass by reminding me I wasn’t better than anyone, I was only as good as my word and that a good work ethic was my legacy.

The most important thing he taught me, though, was to set boundaries. Women are often people-pleasers who overcommit themselves. While I tend to do this, I try to remind myself how my dad regularly encouraged me to learn to say “no” without guilt. He would always say, “Blame it on me! Say your dad said no.” While I have to take accountability for the boundaries I set on my own now, it gets easier over time.

Likewise, I’ve had so many amazing leaders throughout my career who have shaped the professional I am today. Each seemed to help me in the exact moment I was in. I had a lot to learn in my first post-college job, and my two female bosses were amazing.

While there isn’t an exact piece of advice I hold onto, they modeled what a strong, compassionate leader should look like and always prioritized their team members first. So much of how I lead now, I attribute to them.

SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?

Aragon: Take advantage of all the networking opportunities and groups in the industry. Building a strong network will help you grow and flourish throughout your career; the security industry is full of wonderful people who want to help you! Sometimes you have to put yourself out there and ask others to mentor you, share guidance, or help you make connections. While it can be uncomfortable, I think most are willing to help!

Your personal brand is important, though. I come across many people who lack self-awareness. Don’t let this be you! Regularly take stock of your areas for improvement. Ask your leader or peers what you are excelling at and what you need to work on. While this feedback can sometimes be hard to hear, it helps you grow. Be reliable, respectful, and consistent. People remember how you made them feel and how you handled pressure.

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?

Aragon: This is a tough question to answer! There are so many amazing people in the industry who have had a lasting impact on me over the last six years.

One who immediately comes to mind is Shaun Castillo, president of Preferred Technologies. Shaun is extremely authentic, open to sharing his journey and how he’s grown along the way. Pref-Tech has a strong identity, puts a large focus on people – hiring and retaining the right talent, creating job opportunities for those in need, driving a strong culture that hinges on its core values.

I also think everyone needs to listen to Dr. Elli Reges from the Security Industry Association. She’s shaping the future of security through the learning and development programs she’s building. She doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations or sharing hard truths, and she always has the research to back it up! She cares deeply about the industry and is leading positive change.

Click here to check out the entire Best Advice series!

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