What Does it Take to Be a bodyguard?

by Executive Protection Institute EPI was founded in 1978

Executive protection is a specialized career path that necessitates a distinct set of skills. However, before diving into this niche, consider whether you truly have what it takes to become an executive protection officer.

To that end, let’s look at some skills you must have to be a successful bodyguard. Also, remember that you can learn many of these skills by enrolling in a reputable bodyguard training program near you.

Communication

The ability to listen and converse effectively with individuals in various settings is the most crucial skill for bodyguards. To express thoughts or convey information, you must be able to read nonverbal cues, understand how words are interpreted and speak clearly.

Tact

Your primary responsibility is to keep your client safe at all times. This means that diplomacy is indispensable in some situations. If you come across an assailant or a threatening situation, keep your composure and plan your first move.

Decisiveness

This skill can be paired with tact and communication skills, but you must know when and how to make a decision under duress. You can’t negotiate your way out of every predicament, so you need to know how to act in these situations, especially when your client’s safety is at stake.

Resourcefulness

Because your job is so specialized, you must be able to find information swiftly. As an executive protection officer, you cannot rely on others to supply the answers you seek; therefore, you must be able to look at the bigger picture and connect the dots to come up with solutions.

Intelligence

This may seem obvious, but you must be able to think critically, solve problems, and effectively apply your expertise. You must not become complacent because one wrong move could endanger your client’s life.

Preparation

The chances of you encountering a high-risk situation are slim, but given the nature of your job, you should be fully prepared if it does occur. Aside from being mentally prepared, you must also know how to react in certain situations and have a strategy in place in case something does go wrong.

Intuition

When a situation is unraveling, and you must make a decision, you should “feel” it. This intuition will help you determine the best course of action. An executive protection agent’s intuition can help them make the right call and keep their client safe.

Commitment

The job of an executive protection agent requires commitment. It is virtually impossible to succeed in this industry unless you are fully committed to what you do. A lack of commitment may impact the privacy, productivity, and protection aspects of your work.

Social Skills

If you want to succeed in the executive protection industry, you need to be detail-oriented, patient, and trustworthy. Developing relationships with the people you have been hired to protect is another vital aspect of your work. You must have good social skills to build trust while navigating this tricky balancing act—establishing a relationship with your clients is crucial.

Final Word

Are you wondering how to be a bodyguard? Then make sure you have got these skills. While it is worth noting that there are many more skills in addition to these essential ones, they must all be combined to give you the best chance of success.