By Doc Rogers
Many individuals entering the executive protection industry have only one talent or area of expertise and think that this will be enough to sustain their careers over the long haul. A performing pony at a circus that knows only one trick does not attract the crowds or keep the audience attention. Let this be a warning to others not to fall into this trap. Do not place limitations on yourself by excelling in just one area of the EP trade.
By all means specialize in the area of the trade that interests you the most; advance work, protective surveillance, counter-surveillance, close-protection or security driving. But try not to become noteworthy for only a single achievement or skill in the industry. Being a one-trick pony will limit your earning potential and reduce the kind of EP assignments you get offered; because your EP skill is something that can only be used for one very specific application. Some suggestions on how to avoid the one-trick pony syndrome is to learn about:
Threat assessment methodology – Learning the full spectrum of potential threats against your clients.
Advance work and risk management – This is the backbone and cornerstone for client safety. Advance work is a continual learning phase that never stops. Learn all you can start with the basics and advancing to more difficult areas of the advance.
First aid and emergency care course – Get all the knowledge you can on first aid for medical emergencies, accidents and injuries.
Protective and evasive driving class – Learn the latest in advanced driving and security techniques for client road movement safety.
Having additional and supplemental EP knowledge will help you to qualify for many more assignments than you would otherwise. By not becoming labeled a one-trick pony you will earn more, and do more in your EP career. Keep safe and God speed.
Hi Peter: Thanks for you kind comments and very professional remarks! Keep Safe.
Doc… as usual… Great!
Thanks!
It´s up to us to keep up with technology, to keep ourselves updated, to invest money in more knowledge and to never stop achieving things…
and not to mention to keep the thoughts
“I-have-nothing-more-to-learn” or “I´m not throwing away more money until it gives me some jobs”-attitude…
Then we can apply for the one-trick pony at the circus-job!
Hubleness is one of the lanes on this highway to perfection 🙂
Hi Doc.
I have just finished reading your article Don’t be a one trick pony. I am Close Protection Officer from England, I would just like to say you are 100% right in your statement. Once you have completed your Close Protection course you have to carry on with your own personal Continuation Training Program.
Stay Safe Doc.
Regards
Phil
Alonzo: Hope you are doing well. Yes, your comments are right on-the-button. Keep safe.
Yes, it’s like those people who think they can be a one-punch fighter – they wouldn’t last long in a real fight.
We’re always going to have our fortes and specialties, but I’ve never met anyone making a living in EP by limiting themselves to driving, or shooting, or fighting, or advancing, etc. We’re in one of those professions where the learning never stops.
Hucky: Great photo, Sir!
“Jerry: Thank you and you are right-on-target! Be safe.”
“Martin: Hope you are doing well and thank you for the nice comments!”
Good job Doc. One other area that gets little attention is teaching. Yes, we all learned our basics from veterans in the business. We can stay sharp by passing on our experiences to the newer members of our community. It’s also a great way to spend the inevitable down time between assignments. It forces us to brush up on our own skills as well.
I recall a briefing sergeant berating a rookie once and saying (I know he wishes he could take it back), “I have forgotten more than you will ever know!” One of the more senior guys commented, “maybe if you remembered some of it, you wouldn’t have lost that last case.”
@Doc excellent piece my friend, as always on the Mark, stay safe…