Suzanna Alsayed: Multifaceted dimensions of security experts

There’s no fixed timeline or manual for triumph – it’s acceptable to forge your path, writes Suzanna Alsayed, Entrepreneur and Author of “One Failure at a Time: A Modern Survival Guide”.

Upon entering the security industry, I was confronted with unwritten rules dictating every aspect of my professional life.

I was warned against deviating from the norm, told to conform to standards of dress and behaviour and advised to tread carefully to avoid jeopardising my career.

It felt as if the industry culture seemed to prioritise conformity over creativity – and I couldn’t help but feel stifled by limitations at times.

Yet, after nearly a decade in this field, I’ve realised that external constraints influenced my initial perceptions and didn’t accurately represent the industry in its entirety.

This article emphasises the importance of embracing diversity and individuality in security.

Our varied perspectives, skills and traits make us stand out and excel in our roles.

Acknowledging and leveraging these differences can advance our careers and contribute to collective growth.

While I understand and respect the traditions and protocols that have long been established within the industry, I also recognise the need for evolution and adaptation.

As a new generation of professionals enters the field, we must create a more inclusive and welcoming environment – one that values diversity of thought and encourages innovation.

Functioning outside the box

At my core, I am a security and emergency management professional.

However, my career journey has led me down various paths, making me a serial entrepreneur, Ph.D. student, published author, travel writer and Creative Director.

While this may seem like a diverse array of roles, it grants me the flexibility to pursue my passions.

I firmly believe in not putting all our eggs in one basket, recognising that diversification mitigates vulnerability to external influences.

Expanding beyond full time employment holds significant importance for several reasons:

• Resilience – diversifying interests and income streams builds resilience in the face of economic fluctuations or unexpected changes in employment status
• Personal growth – engaging in diverse pursuits fosters continual learning and personal development. Each venture offers opportunities for skill acquisition, creativity and intellectual stimulation
• Flexibility – maintaining diverse interests affords flexibility in how one allocates time and resources. It balances work, family and personal interests, reducing the risk of burnout and enhancing wellbeing
• Networking opportunities – pursuing varied interests exposes individuals to diverse networks and communities. This broadens professional connections, opening doors to collaborations, mentorship opportunities and potential career advancements
• Innovation – interdisciplinary collaboration of ideas from different domains often sparks creative ideas that could further your current situation

How I have applied these strategies

Guided by a firm belief to shape my destiny, I’ve dedicated over a decade to actively creating the circumstances needed to propel me forward.

While the exact path and timelines for realising these ambitions remained uncertain, I understood that dedication, discipline and resilience in the face of adversity were non-negotiables.

In this section, I’ll interpret my journey, outlining the years invested, the obstacles faced, the resources leveraged and the outcomes achieved.

I hope I can demonstrate that achieving your dreams takes time and effort, but it’s worth starting and continuing, even if you don’t have everything figured out from the beginning.

Establishing a foundation – my first step was establishing a base—my education. I believe having a formal education is very important. However, it depends on which field you are in. I think it is good to have as a base in case you want to switch careers. But, I know many people that have succeeded without it. Education was my base, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be yours. To propel your career forward, you can acquire other credentials, such as certificates, designations, and diplomas.

Identifying my skills – I had to find my differentiator to stand out. In my new book, I share how I started honing my skills from a young age and continued to build on them. This is important in the professional realm, where our skills evolve constantly and the experiences we gain can shape our careers in unexpected ways. Therefore, recognising your distinct abilities, such as language proficiency, communication and writing skills, can give you a competitive edge.

Acquiring formal experience – I diligently balanced part time and full time work alongside my academic pursuits to gain corporate experience. I applied to numerous positions, actively participated in networking events and sought mentorship to delve into the complexities of business and entrepreneurship.

Establishing control – once I’d established my foundation, identified my strengths and gained formal experience, I took charge of my destiny. Amid the upheaval of COVID-19, I propelled one and founded another company, Hilt International Security Inc. and Evolutz Inc., to bridge industry gaps and assist businesses in adapting online. It dawned on me that nothing is certain, and sometimes, the best course of action is to push beyond my comfort zone for larger objectives.

Sharing my craft – my guiding principle is transparency and I am devoted to sharing knowledge across social platforms. This commitment is clear in my LinkedIn activity and work. In line with this ethos, I have recently published “One Failure at a Time,” a book aimed at empowering others to gain deeper insights into themselves, their strengths, potential barriers and how they can improve their circumstances in life through the lens of my experiences. I firmly believe that while we are here for a limited time, imparting our wisdom is essential for the progress of humanity.

What you can do to create this for yourself

To begin evaluating and embracing your multifaceted nature, it is encouraged to ask yourself: What makes me different and multi-dimensional? What goals do I want to achieve?

What manageable steps can I take to embrace my multifaceted nature and passions? What resources do I need to accomplish these tasks? What challenges might I encounter along the way and how can I overcome them? How will I hold myself accountable for progressing towards my goals?

I highly recommend using pen and paper for this exercise. Writing down your ideas fosters a different and more prominent level of reflection and might encourage you to ask yourself your own questions.

I crafted this article to showcase the versatile nature of security professionals. While we specialise in security, it doesn’t limit us to that sphere alone.

Success isn’t bound by a rigid set of rules; sometimes, veering off the path can lead to novelty.

However, remaining grounded is crucial, as progress takes time, patience, commitment and discipline. There’s no fixed timeline or manual for triumph – it’s acceptable to forge your path.

It is okay to be multifaceted. Own it.

Suzanna Alsayed

Suzanna Alsayed is the CEO of Evolutz Inc., an independent agency specialising in branding and marketing. She aims to raise and enhance branding standards across various markets so companies and professionals can maximise their ROI.

Suzanna is also the founder of Hilt International Security, a holistic security firm. She is concurrently pursuing her PhD while establishing herself as an author, with her new book “One Failure at a Time”.

To buy a hardcover version of “One Failure at a Time – A Modern Survival Guide”, click here.