In addition to the more apparent skills often discussed, capable executive protection agents have several other characteristics that can be broadly explained as personality traits or social skills.
In this blog, you will find five essential traits that will help you discover high-performing executive protection agents from less-special. However, many are interconnected; all are significant. So, when you find an agent displaying one or all of these characteristics, the probability is they will make a highly successful executive protection agent - and would also perform exceptionally well in many other fields.
Since their main objective is to keep the principles safe, satisfied, and productive no matter where they are assigned, a fitting protection agent will always come up with solutions to every challenge thrown at them. At the same time, they spend a lot of time with their principles without crossing any personal boundaries. For all these reasons, you'll need a certain kind of agent to succeed in this context.
Below are the qualities that you need to look for when opting for a corporate executive protection agent. Let's get you started:
1. Resourcefulness
A fitting protection agent will need a unique mix of intelligence and grit. Let's call it resourcefulness.
Your executive protection team and an agent will always find themselves in an entirely new situation for them. Their regular job criteria are the constant change in venues, expectations, tasks, and many other job areas. You often find that a non-standard situation will test even the most reliable Standard Operating Procedure. And if there is some confusion in that particular situation, the protection agent has the power to bring everything back to normal again.
Therefore, resourceful agents are the ones that strive to get the best possible outcome from any situation. Moreover, they are adaptive, creative at problem-solving, and quick to come up with a solution. They won't be hesitant in asking for their needs and won't shy away from asking loudly if that's what is required to accomplish the job. They always prepare a Plan B and C in case there is a sudden change in a situation.
The habit of always thinking several steps ahead is also one of the most important traits you should look for in a protection agent. Greek Stoic philosopher Seneca has pointed out that "luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." A Resourceful executive protection agent strives to make its luck and delivers the best results with forward-thinking. Their approach is similar to a chess player who always thinks several moves ahead to shape the outcome in their favor rather than dealing with a situation spontaneously, which increases the probability of errors. For all these reasons, resourcefulness and forward-thinking are the essential aspects that a protection agent should have to serve an executive effectively.
2. Flexibility
Life is full of problems, and bad things happen to everyone - even to good protection agents. Flexible or resilient protection agents aren't the ones that never get into a demanding situation. We all have to go through that. They are the ones who deal with adversity and keep all the things together no matter what happens because failure is never an option.
Mentally, resilient protection agents can efficiently navigate through an emotional upheaval without turning into a train wreck. They radiate a peaceful sense of urgency whether everything is normal or the situation has gone into crisis mode. So, when everyone else is submitting to pessimism and negativity, flexible agents will know how and where to find more optimism to deal with a difficult situation.
3. Commitment to the Cause
Commitment to the task of assisting the client is an integral part of the executive protection profession. A suitable protection agent will know that the client's security, productivity, and privacy always comes first and that the principal's requirements are more significant than theirs. They will put their personal preferences out of the picture and support the client no matter what - before, throughout, and after the briefing. The same goes for the rest of the executive protection team.
Trained executive protection agents also know that this commitment form has nothing to do with the personal commitment that friends or couples promise each other. Additionally, professional commitment is a one-way street, and it's not about expecting any friendship from the client. It's all about doing the job in the most professional way to help them achieve the best possible outcome.
4. Discretion
There is no doubt that executive protection agents are pretty close to the principal. That closeness extends to all sorts of situations that can never be taught or learned at an executive protection school because every situation is unique. While protecting the client, it is also possible that the protection agents find themselves traveling with the principal, having a good time with their friends and family, or just moving ahead with their lives. For this reason, complete discretion is expected in every matter.
For this reason, a suitable executing protection agent will keep their integrity by maintaining a safe distance from the client. Therefore, when selecting the security agent, make sure they are not indulging themselves in your private matters and always give you the benefit of discretion.
5. Cognizant
A security agent must know their strengths as well as their weaknesses. Apart from the complete knowledge of their goals and motivation, they must be familiar with how their moods and emotions impact others.
A person with a well-cultivated sense of self-awareness emanates self-confidence. They can easily laugh at themselves and feel no necessity to over or underestimate their capabilities.
To Sum it Up
The job of a corporate executive is not a 9 to 5 job. You can need their services any time of the day. So it becomes vital to find a security agent that can serve you or support you any time of the day.
Make sure you look for all the qualities mentioned above in your future security agent. A security agent who fulfills all these requirements will make your life a lot easier, especially when you are an integral part of the corporate culture.