Kurt Takahashi, Chief Executive Officer, Netwatch: Best Advice

The latest addition to SSI’s Best Advice Q&A series is Kurt Takahashi, chief executive officer at Netwatch. He shares the best advice he’s ever heard, how he helps security industry newcomers and the person to whom others in the sector should always listen.

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

Kurt Takahashi: Before my first job interview at Sensormatic in 1995, my father gave me the best piece of advice I have ever received. He advised me to write down all my personal and professional goals — ranging from the present to two years, two to five years and five to 10 years — and what I wished to achieve within those time frames.

We worked on it for a few weeks, refining the list until it was ambitious and specific enough to meet his standards.

Since then, I’ve happily continued this practice every year. I’m grateful to have achieved most, if not all, of the goals that I have projected. In this process, I learned from my father, “You’re not truly accountable to your goals unless you write them down.” It’s a habit that has pushed me forward for almost three decades.

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

Takahashi: Start by being clear about what you want. Take the time to write down your goals in detail. Define what success looks like for you in the short term and the long term and describe what you hope to accomplish. The discipline of writing down objectives may seem simple, but it can lead you to do extraordinary things.

Secondly, find a mentor and be a mentor. I have been fortunate to learn from leaders who genuinely cared about my growth. I have also learned just as much by supporting others in their journeys. Mentorship helps you grow in your career, maturity and relationships.

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?

Takahashi: If I could point to one person in the security industry, it would be my mentor, John Kenning. John was my president and CEO at ADT/Tyco Integrated and later at G4S. He’s currently the CEO of First Student but continues to give me great guidance, inspiration and support.

John is a great leader, technology-forward and deeply people-focused. From the first time I met him, I really believed he was invested in my future. And I’m not alone in that. Many of us who have had the privilege to work under his leadership would say the same.

Great companies are built on great culture and John does this exceptionally well. I’ve learned so much from him and I hope to lead with that same people-centered, culture-driven spirit in my own career.

Click here to check out the entire Best Advice series!

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from Security Sales & Integration https://www.securitysales.com/insights/kurt-takahashi-netwatch-best-security-advice/613827/
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