These days, it seems like any tall guy calls himself a bodyguard or Executive Protection Specialist. I get resumes all the time, and sadly the information in it is usually of the type: 6 ″ 5 ′, 400 pounds, forty times, bench press 4.5, 450 pounds. There is usually not much else.
The truth is, every time a client really needs muscle it means someone was not using their brain. And that someone could be you, if you think this race is about lifting weights and getting hot.
I recently had the great pleasure of working on a detail to protect former President Bill Clinton on a visit to my state. It was a highlight in my long career as an Executive Protection Specialist for many reasons: first, Mr. Clinton was a genuinely nice and kind man to be with, and second, the Secret Service team consisted of incredibly well-trained professionals. trained. and impressive gentlemen.
Now let me share something very important: Clinton’s detail team leader weighed approximately 5’8 ″ and weighed 160 pounds. It is not what you might see and call physically intimidating. You’re certainly in good physical shape and probably above and beyond average EPS in skills that require physical confrontation, but here’s the thing:
You will probably never need to use those skills.
Why? Because the successful EPS will spend most of its time and effort anticipating potential problems. He manages to keep the person to protect, be it a president or the lead singer of a rock band, out of harm’s way by preparing for all possible scenarios. Time spent exercising in the gym is worthless if a bodyguard does not understand the importance of these important skills and personal traits:
Ability to avoid and deflect confrontation: If your energy and focus is on a physical confrontation with a stranger, your client will be unprotected from others.
Work in advance: know the location that the client visits, know the emergency exits, plan the route
The ability to follow instructions to the letter and to communicate clearly and specifically.
Detail-oriented: always planning and thinking ahead
Ability to “blend in” with others, which makes you draw less attention and also your customer.
That is, discretion, do not share ANY personal information about your client with anyone.
Let me address the last point, discretion. Lately, the bodyguards of celebrities Kobe Bryant, Anna Nicole-Smith and Lindsay Lohan have chosen to speak to the press about their clients. I hope it’s worth the big payday you’re looking forward to, because talking about your employers’ personal habits is career suicide. It’s classless and unprofessional. If your client is doing something illegally and you have a problem with it, then you must make a decision for yourself as to whether or not you want to work under those circumstances.
In addition to being in bad taste, the bodyguard sharing personal data about an individual also potentially increases the opportunities for threats to that client. The more information the public has about a customer’s personal life and tastes, the more objective that person could become.
It is enough that the general public take celebrities hostage in their lives. They are entitled to some privacy, just like everyone else. As a bodyguard or EPS, you are trusted to do a specific job and paid extremely well to do this job … and if I’m honest here … part of the reason for the high pay is the understanding that you will keep the job. Closed mouth. Making more money from books or news spreading sordid details about your employers’ private lives is greedy and breaks the trust factor that is so necessary in this line of work. Indiscretion reflects badly on all of us.
No Comment