We've all heard the phrase, "He's/She's is Over-Qualified" for the job. I personally had never really given it a lot of thought, until recently when I entered a discussion forum where the topic arose. Then, I really started to contemplate what the phrase really meant or is intended to mean, and how it is applied to many EP professionals.

A number of really experienced EP folks were complaining that they had been passed over for opportunities, and had been told that they were 'overqualified'. This is understandably frustrating feedback for someone who has worked hard to be 'qualified', and then put that knowledge to good use in the field. For most of us, you would imagine that a given client would want THE most qualified person possible for their protective duties.

So, what's going on, when a qualified person is told they are 'over-qualified'? Well, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it relates to a few possible things, and it may not be what you think.

Before I talk specifically ...

There are not many private sector jobs that are as dependent upon  "Being Ready" as the Close Protection/Executive Protection field.  Readiness and adaptability can be your down-fall or can become your niche asset.   It's your choice!

What do I mean by this?   The senior and active EP/CP specialists know exactly what I mean, as they have probably been there many times. The comfort of easing into a detail when you are prepared is like slipping on your favorite pair of slippers. It makes work and travel as easy as possible. Conversely, we've all had situations where we found that we were ill-prepared for the job at hand, scrambling to gather resources, and feeling behind the eight ball the entire time. Not a good feeling, for sure.

For those of you scratching your head as to what types of things I'm talking about, here's some perspective on the concept of job readiness in the EP field.

I meet industry professionals on a daily basis, and always enjoy networking and learning what others...

We all know the saying "Can't see the forest, through the trees".  

What does that mean in the world of security and close protection?   Well, to me it means putting 100 percent effort  into the task's as hand, but NOT seeing the obvious or other important things.  Not seeing the total picture. 

Now these are the types of things that those who are less experienced in the industry will boast, 'I'd never do that' or 'that would never happen to me'.  But if you've been in this business a while, you know different. Inevitebly, despite scrambling to cover every possible detail, there will be the things that escape your attention and bite you in the butt.

For example,  a protection detail supporting their Principal's movements and getting so focused on tactical movements that they (the team) forget the Principal's luggage in the hotel room, or the Principal's dress shoes and belt in the hotel closet.   Who swept that room?

Or, how about this one... focusing on all the fine details of cus...

I will just get right to the point. Communication is the essence of our over-all culture, and a key element of what drives business. I think we can all agree that it is what’s driving the world to move at record pace, whether we like or not. 

Therefore, lack of good communication can be a “deal breaker”. In the close protection and executive protection field this is highlighted on a daily basis. Operationally, teams need to be able to communicate without delay; and minutes and seconds can be critical. Moving in motorcades, advances, and client/principal movements, seconds matter, and can quickly change the over-all success of an operation.

Communication is VERY high on the list of importance during the planning phase of operation. And at the corporate level, literally millions of dollars are budgeted to ensure operational communication success.

As a corporate EP/CP Manager, I managed the day to day short notice international/domestic travel and support needs of my Principal and my t...

Many of the 'life lessons' that I've learned, I learned in Marine Corp Boot Camp.   One of the most valuable lessons that always stuck in my mind came from the beloved (ha, ha)  Drill Instructors. They would yell at us, " you guys are dumb as a sack of rocks, so you need to be that much more fit and strong to make up for it". 

In hindsight, I believe the message behind that statement really boils down to, 'We can't control how smart you are, but we can insure you'll be physically and mentally ready to fight, body mind and soul'.   (At least, I tell myself that's what they meant!)

Which brings me to my topic.  Fitness!  This is a broad term and can mean many things to many people.  As in mentally, psychologically or physically.  It's the physical aspect I want to focus on, but that arguably contributes and frames our mental and psychological fitness as well.

Clearly there are certain professions  where being physically in-shape is very advantageous to success.  Certainly those in pro...

Have you ever felt like you were 'put out to pasture' when you left an organization or position? Felt like the business relationships you built just didn't really matter?

In my professional life, I've built lasting relationships with people that will likely remain part of my life for the long haul. However, I've also invested time and energy and emotion into work-related relationships that literally ended the moment I left the building.

For those of you making career transitions, I'm sure you can relate. It's difficult at times to separate your relationships at work from real-life friendships, and often we feel that they are (and arguably should be) one in the same. However, it can be a cold reality to realize that is not always the case.

When you work alongside others in a business environment, you tend to build trust and loyalty (or at least you hope you do). And I'm a firm believer that trust and loyalty are huge benefits to an organization and its overall effectiveness. The hard...

I just completed a week-long,  24- hour surveillance detail. And I  just woke up after my first full night sleep in 5 days. I do not work these often anymore, but was called on very short notice to fill-in. I enjoy different aspects of Protection/EP Services, and it's a great opportunity to sharpen, and hone those perishable skills. Of course it's by no means glamorous work, (quite the contrary). However, surveillance is an important skill and facet of the security world, and the guys that have perfected it are awesome at it.

One reason I choose to do work like this (that's frankly out of my wheel-house), is that details like this are a great opportunity to meet new guys in the industry and expand my own network. A detail like this might put you in contact with all types of guys and gals, from the beginners (who think they know it all) to the seasoned professionals (who do pretty much know it all). Being in my mid-forties and kind of in the middle, I learn things from the new guys/gal...