Executive Protection Guide on How to Swim with the Sharks

Executive Protection Guide on How to Swim with the Sharks

By Doc Rogers

This article talks about how Executive Protection Specialists can swim with the sharks however, it does not suggest that all people in the executive protection industry are ruthless or greedy. Ninety-nine per cent are trustworthy, hardworking professionals.  That leaves one per cent of sharks in the executive protection waters you either have to avoid, fend off or learn to swim with and not get eaten alive.

Avoiding Shark-Infested Waters

Whenever possible try to avoid shark-infested waters. This means doing your research within the operational area in which you want to work or setup shop.  Avoid areas that have long feuds involving executive protection contracts, murders linked with the executive protection or security industry as well as areas with a high rate of executive protection or security business-to-business predatory lawsuits. These types of locations and the people in them are bent upon murder and destruction and it would be difficult to fend off all the parasitic advances.

Fending Off Attacks

If you choose an area that has minimal shark infestations, you still can’t afford to relax. There is no such thing as a risk-free environment. A shark never sleeps and to keep afloat, it has to continuously swim.  You may face some uncomfortable and challenging situations even in non-shark pit waters. To prevent from being bitten and to successfully fend off shark attacks proper executive protection business planning, designing and developing is needed. Blood will attract sharks so it’s imperative to have a strong team that will be able to prevent, detect, delay, fend off or neutralize attacks. Sharks frequently give off pre-attack warnings. These include making an initial passes or swimming toward their potential victims displaying aggressive behavior.  Watch for these warning signs and remember the shark’s tactics and techniques are continually changing and accordingly, you must remain vigilant

Swimming with the Sharks

It is generally difficult to outswim a shark. You may have to learn to swim safely with the sharks; so fast and resolute mitigating action is needed. This means beating the sharks at their own game. It’s the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” attitude. You won’t become one of them; you’ll just be swimming alongside of them.   The sharks in the executive protection business are normally not true executive protection professionals. They are not client focused or service orientated.  Your clients have to be satisfied with your executive protection performance. This means forging your way ahead with no disgruntled customers, no delays or poor quality services and insisting on quality work from your executive protection team and always watching each other’s back 24/7. This will make you an unattractive target.

Conclusion

Swimming with the sharks is risky business. It should only be taken if it’s a calculated and smart; keeping constant watch for sharks circling below and above you.  This is accomplished through solidarity and knowing that sharks will always be in the executive protection waters. Knowing the risk is always there; but never allowing it to keep you on the beach. We all have seen the signs “swim at your own risk” for some people in the industry they rather swim with the sharks than follow the heard. Some gutsy, streetwise executive protection professionals from hard­scrabble backgrounds not only survive, but thrive in this type of environment. Keep safe and God speed.

Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security.