Single Operator EP Support - if you want to be a leader in this field, you need to master this!

For those of you who have been in this field for a while, the title of this blog may make you cringe. If you aren't familiar with the term, it just means handling an entire client and job support all by yourself or with one person. And yes, it happens more than you think. Individuals and companies choose to hire a single EP operative (vs. a full team) for any number of reasons, including budget, last minute change of plans, new staff, etc.

The dreaded 'single operator' gig can bring fear into the eyes of lots of EP professionals. I've worked with people who flat out refuse to do jobs like this stating things like, "you are set up for failure", or "you are just screwed before you even start." 

As the Manager of a fast-paced, global EP team, I found myself needing to send members of my team out on single operator trips, just to keep up with our globe-hopping principal. There were times we literally couldn't have staff on the ground for every location on our list, and we had to spread our team out all over the globe, just to keep up.

In these instances, it never failed that I had team members who would step up, do the planning work needed, and get on with the program. I also consistently had team members who would spend more time wringing their hands about what they 'didn't have', and complaining about who to blame for their 'plight' of having to fly solo; than they did actually focusing on the job at hand and just getting it done! Operators like this are always on the lookout for who is to blame for their shortcomings, whereas the previous people I described are solely focused on getting the job done, regardless of resources.

I can assure you even on larger so-called experienced global EP teams, NOT everyone is equal in terms of capabilities. And yes, the deficiencies cause a lot of strife within teams. As a Manager, I observed these personality traits, and yes, the people that I could trust to step up, did indeed get called on for future projects in a way that the complainers did not.

I'm using this scenario as a means to call attention to the ways (big and small) that you make an impression on your employer, on your colleagues and your principal.

You may not realize it, but during situations like this, the people you engage with are definitely taking note of your attitude and approach.
Yes, of course, our preferred model and best practices typically involve more than one EP on any given operation. Larger scale multi EP client support, is always more fun/romantic to talk about. We all tend to think of security details with lots of moving parts; Yachts, Jets, event staff, etc. And yes, that is certainly a significant part of our work.

But the reality of the world is that you may indeed find yourself on a single operator gig. In fact, in the real world things very rarely work out perfectly, or according to your well-laid plans. You've got to be resilient and demonstrate an ability to adapt and succeed. And if you are really smart, you'll will dive in and do an amazing job! 

Yes, it is possible to give good service and to provide adequate support with just one person.

Is it challenging? You bet it is. It is also some of the most rewarding support jobs. 

Doing an entire operation by yourself requires planning (above and beyond what you might normally do), it requires discipline (as there will be choices that need to be made that you normally don't have to deal with), and it requires discernment (or the ability to prioritize and make the most strategic use of your precious energies and time).

Now, I would argue that planning, discipline and discernment are actually the very skills that are rarely overtly taught and cultivated in our field. But they are the very traits that can make you stand out as a leader, as a competent operator, and as someone that others can depend on (and look to) when they are thinking about who to hire for a future job.

Success starts with YOU and ends with YOU!  I know and have worked with many EP personnel that do not embrace this concept, and simply won't put themselves out there solo because they don't want the responsibility. And it is true, that when it's just you, there is no one to blame or point fingers at in the end. But, that also means that when you do a kick-ass job, no one else can claim the credit for your good work. You can enjoy the fruits of your labors!

Instead of focusing on the limitations and challenges; what if you flip the narrative of these opportunities and looked at them as a way to cut your teeth on the real work, as a way to totally blow people away by your ingenuity, and your ability to adapt and rise to any challenge?

Don't you think that might make you someone worth hiring again in the future? You're darn right it does.

I'm telling you, you can do Single Operative jobs. You can do them well, and you can use them as a way to build your acumen in this field and make an excellent impression on both principals and clients.

Master the single EP operation playbook! 

I just returned from one of these trips. 4 days of supporting a high- profile client and her staff. And it reminded me of both the challenges and opportunities, and frankly of how invigorating it can be to do this work. And before you say anything, no, this was not a 'wall flower' or unknown person with limited exposure or complexity. This individual is the very well-known face of her organization, and certainly not one of those 'under the radar' clients. So indeed, the job involved all of the same elements a more typical trip, but I was the only operator assigned to the task.

When I received the call a month earlier, I immediately asked how many EP people do you want or need? All I knew at this point was who the main Principal/Protectee was, which city, and when.  I immediately devised a plan (in my head) of what the standard support needs would be so I could advise the client if asked. But, when I inquired about other contacts for the job, I shortly received an email reply from the security service provider, saying no other personnel had been requested. "Just You" was the message.

Ok, I thought. Here we go!

Luckily this isn't my first rodeo, and in the beginning years of my career this was very common for me. In more remote settings like Aspen, Jackson Hole and Telluride the 'one man model' was the norm. Yes, of course it is certainly less complicated in smaller towns. And there's a difference between driving a client all day on a sight seeing trip or skiing with a client all day, than supporting clients in a big city with hotels and venues on multiple days.

But, it was a great way to learn how to prioritize, to learn how to set expectations with the principal and their staff (however large that happened to be), and to make strategic choices as to where to focus.

As a former Marine, the motto "Just Get The Job Done and Get Out" has always been etched in my brain. In fact, those of you former jar heads may recall that we were told from the early days at Paris Island "if you want a lot of cool stuff, and a bunch of help then you should have joined the Army". No offense to my brothers and sisters in the Army, as this was clearly part of the indoctrination of a Marine...but you get my point!

Adapt and overcome has always been part of my ethos as an EP, and nowhere does that become more important, than when you are the sole provider on a job.

Lets get down to the nitty gritty of things. Contrary to popular belief, most of the time conducting single person support is quite easy (for the experienced) in the scheme of things (compared to larger operations). 

Think about things like picking a client up from an airport, and conducting a secure and safe transport to a given location. Done! These movements are still very important within themselves as the statistics do show that car accidents are one of our biggest threats to our clients. So, being a smooth, safe and cognizant driver is paramount and the mission itself is extremely important. I go into more details about driving in a previous blog called "Driving Your Way To Success". This type of activity is not really what I'm talking about when I say 'single operative support".

What I'm referencing are client support operations that would clearly (under the preferred security EP protocols) be supported by 2 to 4 EP Operators, but instead have to be covered (by client request) and supported by 1 experienced EP guy or gal. When breaking down the basic elements of a multi day trip with many locations, movements, with known large venues open to the public; one EP operator would have to conduct all known location advances, drive primary and secondary routes, facilitate Principal/Client and staff movements and cover all logistics for the entire trip. Again, these are just the basics and do not involve many of the other elements of over-all risk mitigation picture. 

The overall elements are the are the same as with most client support trips, whether you have one or 4 executive protection personnel at your disposal. 

The biggest difference is in the prioritization of what you NEED to do from what you won't be able to do.
And guess what...you won't be able to do it all! You have to pick and choose what's most important.

And the key is NOT to get caught up on the obstacles. This is as much a mindset issue, as a logistics issue. As we all know, mitigation of risk is the over-all goal here. 

Being organized and detail oriented is the difference between success and the (real or perceived) failure from the Client's perspective when all is said and done. Being extremely organized can't solve many of the actual security gaps, the way having additional EP bodies can, but it is THE road-map to follow and can be very effective.

My purpose in writing this is to talk to you about your mindset, your approach, your willingness to put yourself out there for this type of gig.

In terms of logistics for an actual operation, I will defer to the wealth of information and training available out there as the basic models still apply even if there is just one of you. You aren't throwing your best practices to the wind, you are just prioritizing what is and isn't feasible with the resources available. If you need more info on actual operations, there are great close protection books, EP schools and trainings out there, not to mention the value that finding a solid mentor can bring. All of my comments here are made with an assumption that you as an EP professional have invested in yourself, and have sought out appropriate training/schooling and are well-versed in basic operations.

A single EP operator job is not the time to try out your green skills, in fact that would be a mistake. Think of this type of job as sharpening the fine edge of an already sharp sword. This is a gig that should be undertaken by those wanting to push themselves to the next level, those who want to refine their skills, and by those contemplating taking on leadership roles in the business. This is not for the novice, and yet it's also not impossible assuming you do your homework, and have the right mindset and focus.

We only get proficient at things by doing them. Certainly, being able to participate on larger multi-staffed support operations prior to taking on single support ops is of course a great (certainly easier) way to build these skills.  

Our industry is filled with really accomplished people who are typically willing to share (if you ask), so if you find yourself in the situation of feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable with what's being asked of you, seek out help, or a Mentor, someone you can call that has experience, and can give you some advice.

If you put yourself out there, and master the single EP operator model:

• you can demonstrate your ability to be strategic,
• to provide top-level support,
• to set appropriate expectations with your principal/client,
• and then apply high levels of discipline and discernment in your activities,
• and best of all, you are setting yourself on a path towards bigger and better things in this field.

Another facet of these types of experiences is that as a single EP operator, I typically have a much more engaging experience with principal or staff. They actually see what you are doing (whereas in a team environment that is not always the case). I have built many lasting professional relationships with principals and their staff because they saw me in action as a sole provider, and they know and trust me to get the job done (whether I have a team with me or not). That type of experience is invaluable!

Train your brain to see jobs like this as opportunities, as windows and doors to bigger and better things (rather than brick walls that immediately shut you down), and you will go far. To summarize, get good at and learn how to support clients by yourself when you have to. As the old adage goes, "it's not if you will have to, it's when you have too".

Learn it, get good at it and when you get back to the team concept of support, the one or few elements that you are tasked with will become much easier!  

Be a problem solver and do your best, whether you are on a team or find yourself alone! 

Safe travels!