Ray O’Hara, president of ASIS International for 2011, once explained the importance of CSOs understanding the entire business, beyond their security roles. He asked, “If you get on the elevator and the CEO is on it, what are you going to discuss? The weather?” Actually, that’s exactly what I did.

I’ll never forget my initial encounter with the CEO at my first publishing job. Shortly after I began an editorial position with a trade association in Alexandria, Va., I had a short introductory meeting with the CEO. Dressed in my very best suit, with all intentions of showing my knowledge and acumen of the business, I asked him about the “crazy weather we were having.” The look on his face said it all. In my first professional job, I was nervous, and I flunked the test. I missed an opportunity to make a first impression – you do only get one – and discuss anything but the weather. The weather? It was fine. Me? I learned a valuable lesson.