Where you sit in a room can have a profound effect on your future. On this episode of Conversations by Association, Sheri Jacobs describes attending an ASAE Membership Symposium many years ago where she knew no one. She chose a seat at a table that looked inviting and ended up next to Greg Fine. Although neither of them knew it then, it was the beginning of a strong friendship and professional bond that would deepen and grow over time. Sheri and Greg share the importance of creating informal professional personal communities of peers early in one’s career. Hear how they’ve established a trusting relationship a symbolic “vault” with each other – a term they use to describe the time, space and place where they discuss and store sensitive or difficult conversations, insights, candor and wisdom shared with one another. Both emphasize, if you’re going to be a leader, you need someone who you can be vulnerable with, who will support you in good times and bad, and who will always tell you the truth.