Next Level w/ Angie Barnes

The Next Level Podcast is POWERED by 1st Phorm

This was a timely and amazingly enjoyable conversation with Angie. We had a wide-ranging conversation about growth, culture, and personal excellence. See a more detailed summary below.

🔑 Security Industry Career Transitions

Angie recounted her journey from advertising to managing a $35M portfolio at Brinks, and eventually her long tenure at NAVCO. She discussed how relationships and problem-solving have fueled her success and transferable skills. Both Jon and Angie celebrated the industry’s unique opportunity to positively impact humanity.

🤝 Mentorship and Leadership in the Industry

Jon and Angie stressed the value of mentorship, advocating for leaders who make it easier for others to thrive. They reflected on empowering younger professionals, particularly women, and the need for role models and advocates to foster inclusive growth within the industry.

📈 The Evolution of the Security Industry and Culture

Reflecting on two decades of technological shifts, Angie highlighted the progression from analog systems to cloud technology and predicted rapid mobile credential adoption. They underscored the significance of nurturing company culture, with Jon sharing insights on stay interviews and actionable strategies to ensure employees feel valued and recognized.

🏆 Retaining Top Talent and Building Diverse Teams

Drawing an analogy to Tom Brady’s departure from the Patriots, Angie illustrated the challenge of rebuilding high-performing teams. She emphasized investing in new talent while understanding individual motivations to align roles with passions. Jon highlighted the importance of balancing top performers with a diverse range of contributors to create dynamic and effective teams.

💻 Technology’s Impact on the Industry

Jon and Angie examined AI’s transformative potential, particularly in system integration and adoption. They encouraged young professionals to leverage networking, mentorship, and work-life balance, noting the importance of volunteering and building strong relationships to thrive in the evolving landscape.

🌐 Networking and Personal Relationships

Jon and Angie emphasized the power of networking in shaping their careers. Angie shared her experiences connecting with leaders at conferences, while Jon reflected on a pivotal career change sparked by a single conversation. They encouraged risk-taking, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration for professional growth.

⚡ Personal Growth and Professional Challenges

Angie shared her philosophy of “never wasting a failure,” inspired by a mentor, and detailed a humorous yet insightful anecdote about a customer meeting during a personal mishap. Jon opened up about feeling underutilized in his role, sparking a discussion about aligning professional goals with personal fulfillment.

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My name is Jon. I am a Leadership and Performance Development Coach. My mission is to help 10,000 security professionals take their skills to the next level.

I am a husband, a father, a coach, and a life-long learner.