Justin Stearns, Vice President, Chimera Integrations: Best Advice
We continue our Best Advice series with Justin Stearns, vice president of Chimera Integrations. He shares the best advice he’s ever heard, how he helps newcomers navigate the intricacies of the security industry and whose shoulder he leans on when he needs some guidance.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Justin Stearns: “If you want to be great at something, surround yourself with five people who are better at it than you are.” That mindset changed everything for me. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room; it’s about being willing to learn, listen and grow. Every major leap I’ve taken in my career came from humbling myself around the right people and letting their excellence raise my game.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Stearns: Get involved and be generous with your knowledge. There’s still a sense of secrecy that lingers in this industry, but I’ve found that taking an open-source mindset and actively contributing to our community of integrators accelerates growth — for yourself and everyone around you. “Giver’s gain” isn’t just a motto; it’s a multiplier. The more you invest in others, the more you grow, both professionally and personally.
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?
Stearns: I’d point to Don Erickson, CEO of the Security Industry Association (SIA). Don is one of the few leaders who consistently bridges the gap between innovation, policy and workforce development, and he exudes the kind of principled leadership I aspire to emulate.
His work advancing diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, launching mentorship programs and investing in the next generation of security professionals sets a powerful example for how the future of our industry should evolve.
