We are professionals. Or so I want to think. Professional life is not easy, and conflicts are common and frequent. Most of the time the conflicts can be attributed to the right reasons. All parties want the best for the company. They just have a different perspective, which leads to conflict.

Being a risk and security professional, I have experienced complaints about security being a blocker. Almost every time I had the opportunity to get into a discussion with whoever is complaining, I try to explain why what I suggest will not hinder the business. And most of the times, we reach a conclusion that is good for everybody. A win - win situation.

Yes, that's right. I rarely, if ever, suggest something related to security that will hinder the business. Security is not easy, but I'm quite experienced to find the best secure solution, instead of the quickest one. Truth be told, I probably cheat. I have been an IT professional long before I focus on security. Sometime it is just too easy to point out why the insecure solution will create efficiency problems, or unmanageable technical debt. And I'm taking this opportunity. I'm lucky because I have a very good technical background, so most of the times I can explain why an insecure solution will create problems, and how they can be avoided by a secure solution.

I have also learnt over the years to be more open-minded. Maybe I'm too open-minded now, and people think that I am not confident enough. But I don't mind, because I benefit from it. I benefit from listening other people's opinions and perspectives; and I always learn more and more.

And most of the times this whole thing works and everybody is happy, and the company is in a better place day after day.

But then, once in a while, things are not so easy. You stumble upon someone who just doesn't want to listen. Or who has a hidden personal agenda. It's times like that, when I realise that sometimes, you just lose. And it's times like that, when I realise, that when I managed to improve something it was not only due to my skills but also due to luck.

Because it's never easy. You need to be lucky enough to speak to the right people, at the right time, instead of speaking to a wall who without reason, and without benefit for anybody, just does not want to listen.

But that's life, right?