Elite Protection Services

Former UK Commandos

100% Success Rate

Read Our COVID-19 Update

Whilst we are able, we will remain operational as normal, with our teams active on site and our head office open. As always our main priority is health and safety. We are advising our team members on government updates, advice and guidelines daily, if you should require any further information please contact us. We are all unsure of the potential impacts of COVID-19 however if required we have a business continuity plan in place whereby individual contacts will remain available by mobile phone and email. Our main phone lines will be diverted if necessary to ensure the business remains operational.

SPECIALIST SECURITY SERVICES

We remain on call to assist with your security concerns, our teams remain ready to mobilise with 48 hours notice. Should you require any further assistance then please call us on 020 3489 3892.

Thank you for your ongoing support and we wish you well during these unprecedented times.

Manners Maketh Man - The Importance of Etiquette

The proverb ‘manners maketh man’ derives from a shared understanding that courtesy and good manners are essential to the preservation of human interaction and relationships.  Good manners can be applied to several aspects of human life, including how we speak, the words we use, the tone of our voice, our gestures and our actions.  

 

Good manners help to define you as a person, while etiquette is what makes you socially acceptable. Both help you to gain respect and create a good and lasting impression. When used in a professional capacity, good etiquette means that you act professionally and exercise proper manners when engaging with clients and colleagues.

 

What is etiquette?

 

The Oxford dictionary defines the word etiquette as “the customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group”.

 

Etiquette is the foundation of appropriate behaviour that is universally accepted as being gracious and polite in social, professional and family situations.  Knowing and exhibiting proper etiquette is an essential component to every relationship and can mean the difference between success and failure in many facets of life.  As a service industry, the display of good manners and etiquette are especially relevant to the private security industry.  

 

Why is it important?

 

The way you behave and conduct yourself is a reflection of your personality. Your eye-contact, your smile, your handshake and the way you interact with others are usually the first things someone will notice about you. Your manners define your character and influence your attitude as well as the way you treat other people, be it your superiors, peers or subordinates.  

 

These behavioural traits are often used by others as a judge of our character and are used to assess whether they feel comfortable in our presence.  More importantly, they’re usually a good indication of an individual’s honesty and integrity; essential qualities of a good personal protection officer.  

 

Typically, the type of client who hires a close protection officer is an individual of considerable value.  These individuals do not trust easily and are extremely cautious of who they allow into their lives.  More often than not, the selection of a close protection operative is based on the operative’s personality and whether the client actually likes them as opposed to what’s written on their CV.  In short, you could have the most kick-ass, impressive CV but if the client doesn’t like you, you’ll be gone quicker than you can blink.

 

Unfortunately, the importance of etiquette or the ‘soft skills’ is sometimes overlooked, underestimated or misunderstood by many close protection officers.  In a competitive industry that is over-burdened with egotistical alpha male type characters, many close protection officers are let down by their highly-inflated egos.   In some cases, over familiarity with the client can begin to creep in and professional boundaries may be crossed.  Being consistently mindful that they are the boss and you are the employee is one way of exercising good etiquette.

 

This is an environment where some clients are particularly demanding, they’re used to getting exactly what they want and are not used to hearing the word ‘no’.  This can be somewhat unnerving for the close protection officer who may have to advise against a client’s planned course of action.  The client may get angry and behave rudely but it’s an operative’s manners and etiquette that will stop them from over-reacting and keeping a calm head.  

 

Keeping a calm head in an uncomfortable situation is a skill that few can master.  However, having the right manners and etiquette will govern the way you act and react to situations, instilling a sense of calm amongst those around you.  

 

Furthermore, the environment amongst staff within some private households can be somewhat toxic.  Household staff can be protective of their own interests and compete to remain in favour with the principle.  Griping and bitching is not uncommon so it’s important to always exhibit decorum and not get involved with the internal politics.

 

Maintaining calm and composed stature even in bad situations helps to earn respect. People will think more highly of you and this will make your relationships easier. Remember, communication is vital in every relationship and it’s not what you say that matters, it’s the way that you say it.  

 

Throughout your professional life, it’s important that you always make a good impression. Other peoples’ impressions of you, especially in the workplace should be positive so that they want to continue to work with you.  Good manners and etiquette benefits everyone, not only do they make life easier, they act as a magnet that draws people towards you.  The relationships you build are critical, a client or colleague would want to spend time with someone who is respectful, pleasant and courteous and establishing good rapport is essential if you want to progress your professional future.

 

 

Ed Hill is the Managing Director of Intrepid Protection, a company that provides specialist security services to high net worth individuals, VIP’s and celebrities.

Download our FREE brochure

No price can be put on your safety or of those closest to you so leave that to us

By submitting this form you agree that Intrepid Protection may use your information in accordance with its Privacy Policy

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Intrepid Brochure

Testimonials

As a result of your impeccable service, Intrepid Protection has become our first choice when we require security services and I would have no hesitation in recommending you.

Diana Arama
Mayfair Networking Events

Intrepid provided the highest quality and professional security services that I have worked with. The entire operation is first class and very discrete. If you expect top of the line, you’ve found it.

G.C
Private Client, Kensington

The entire process from beginning to end was thoroughly diligent and completely professional. I thank your close protection team for always making us feel safe and reassured.

K.V.
Private Client, London

Their understanding of the superyacht industry as a whole is also particularly impressive. Their personnel are polite, personable and very professional. Consequently, we have always received consistent positive feedback from both Captains and crew. Having used a number of other security providers in the past, Intrepid Protection are our preferred security provider and come very highly recommended. They are a pleasure to work with and I thank them for the services they have provided to us so far.

V.M.
Yacht Management Company, Seychelles

The entire process from beginning to end was thoroughly diligent and completely professional. I thank your close protection team for always making us feel safe and reassured.

K.V.
Private Client, London

Having passed through these waters on 9 other occasions and utilised the services of various Private Maritime Security Companies, I was consistently impressed with their high professional standards and ability to integrate well with the crew. I would therefore have no hesitation in recommending Intrepid Protection to to any future super yacht Captain, Manager or Owner.

Relief Captain
55 metre superyacht