In the world of executive protection, there lies an often-unspoken reality: profound loneliness. This might sound a little dramatic, but it’s relatively true. The average agent will spend most of their time alone, conducting advance work, hanging around corporate offices, hotels, and restaurants. Therefore, it is imperative that those who find themselves supporting executives are comfortable working alone for long periods of time.
The executive protection industry may look somewhat glamourous and intriguing to those who assume that dark suits and sunglasses are mandatory for all involved. Private aircraft, luxury vehicles, and 5-star hotels can become the norm. However, to those responsible for the safety and security of an executive, they are simply modes of transport and line items on an itinerary – nothing less, nothing more.
If you take pride in your work, you will know that there is no standard number of hours in a workday. The day ends when the principal has retired for the evening and you have completed any planning or administrative tasks required for the following day. A typical day can be 16+ hours long. Even then, you will remain on standby should the principal require your assistance during the night. Sound glamourous? I didn’t think so.
There is no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM’, but there is an ‘M’ and an ‘E’
Depending on the risk assessment – which will hopefully have been completed – and other factors such as the threat level of the environment, most corporate executives traveling to low or medium-risk locations will be assigned one agent, if any at all. But what about the five-agent diamond or closed box formation that was taught in the close protection course I attended? Forget about it.
The reality is that professional executive protection is not cheap, and unlike the public sector, clients get to decide what they pay for. The cost of such services is regularly scrutinized, sometimes quite rightly so. Therefore, the service must be cost-effective and provide value to the executive and wider business to remain in place. Those responsible for selling executive protection services, take note.
There are, of course, obvious limitations to the level of protection that can be provided by a single agent. The focus on logistics and concierge services to enhance productivity should never replace safety and security. However, it is up to the service provider or agent themselves to communicate risk while navigating corporate politics and to find a happy medium that provides an appropriate level of protection proportionate to the risk.
The Need to Be a Fixer
According to Perplexity AI, fixers featured in mob movies are people who handle difficult or illegal situations for criminal organisations, often cleaning up messes, making problems disappear, or arranging deals. Now take away the words ‘or illegal’ and ‘criminal’ from the above, and you’ll have a pretty good assessment of the added (non-security) value provided by executive protection agents on a daily basis.
Finding success while operating alone requires emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and a high level of resourcefulness. Over time, these qualities will not only earn the trust of the executive but also (and sometimes more importantly) their support staff and the wider business. Winning the hearts and minds of those around the principal is vital to the longevity of the protection program.
While many will continue spending their time discussing which tactical gear to purchase or debating the age-old topic of carrying bags versus not carrying bags, those who develop their global networks, sharpen their business skills, and offer mentorship to others will stay ahead of the game. As the saying goes, ‘Amateurs study tactics; professionals study logistics.’
