The skills learned working behind the velvet rope are skills that can be transferred to a wide variety of security and public safety career paths.
In fact I would venture to say that one should almost seek out the experience before pursuing some of those paths. I say this because within the walls of that club you encounter such a vast amount of people, cultures, and potential threats, and to meet all these challenges, the nightclub security professional must be well equipped and prepared physically and mentally. In order to get the best out of these encounters it’s important to understand the skills required, and the skills that are being developed every time you step behind the velvet rope.
Self-Awareness : Controlling your perception
In order to be effective at any task, we must be in tune with our talents and be aware of areas that can be improved upon. Having a strong focus on your talents whether it be, effective communication, security presence, or conflict resolution, will help you seek ways to succeed.
As a twenty one year old being placed in charge of a club security team I was at a bit of a disadvantage; Both being young and looking every bit of my age, had the potential to decrease the power of security presence for the venue, and put a barrier between myself and older patrons and staff. I had no weapon, no size, (and very poor cellular reception, so even calling 911 was a challenge). Instead, I had to rely on my charm, professional demeanor, and excellent communication skills, to not only establish rapport with guest, but to also enforce venue rules when lines were crossed. It may not have been the most intimidating approach, but it was extremely effective.
Practical Exercise: While working, pay close attention to how patrons perceive and interact with you as compared to others. Do a self-examination of your personality and take the traits that would work most effectively, and start implementing them in every interaction. This includes your facial expressions, encompassing smiles and serious demeanors. The goal is for patrons to be comfortable with you enough to enjoy themselves, but also respect you when you have to make a correction. Finding your professional tone takes time, but once your hit your stride you will master your space enhancing both your confidence and the confidence others have in you.
Threat & Behavioral Analysis
Nightclub venues have their own specialized set of threats. Some are common to multiple venues, and others would be specific to a certain venues configuration or demographic. Overall we know a couple things are certain, there will be alcohol and there will more than likely be illegal drug use. In order to be most prepared for this threat it is wise to get familiar with the drugs that are popular in club culture. It is also important to understand how alcohol and drugs will most likely affect the individual.
This education will put you ahead of the curve when it comes to assessing the potential threats that can come from your patrons. It will also help you prep your responses to these incidents whether it be physical countermeasures or medical aid. For all other threats facing your particular venue be sure to make a habit of documenting all incidents and persons of interest, and do not be afraid to connect with other venues to see if there are common trends going on in their establishments.
Practical exercise: while walking the floors of your venue try and quantify the number of people you see that have dilated pupils, flushed red faces, pinpoint pupils, and any other odd signs of substance use outside of alcohol. This will help you narrow down what kind of drugs are coming into the venue, and based on further research, you may be able to find ways to prevent them coming in down the line.
Verbal Intervention Techniques
Verbal interactions in the nightlife setting can sometimes be difficult due to the loud music and dim lights. As a professional we may be responding the various types of conflicts within the walls of our establishment and oftentimes a couple of roadhouse-style roundhouse kicks will not be the proper response. In cases like this, it is important we learn how to be effective with the least amount of words.
When approaching conflict, especially when it’s involving two opposing parties it is beneficial to do so with another guard, this will allow you both to physically step in front of the two patrons and talk them down in separate corners. The verbiage used when talking down an angry person is also important, phrases such as “Hey let’s bring it down a bit, or tell me how I can help you” is much more effective than trying to shout over them. If you have a person that is insistent on being loud and throwing insults at you, it’s probably best to simply agree with their statements and elaborate more on why they are right as you walk them towards the door. In all of this it is important to put your ego aside but make it clear to the patrons that what you ask them to do is not a topic to be negotiated, be as friendly as possible but remember you are there to do a job.
Practical exercise: Read the book Verbal judo. Although the title was written from the perspective of a law enforcement professional it is a good foundation for security professionals to learn a higher form of authoritative communication. Outside of reading the book, next time you work, be sure not to treat your next encounter so routinely. Really take the time to pay attention to the words you select and how the patrons respond. We all have a own personality, therefore no one will execute techniques in the same manner. It is important to develop your voice and methods of verbal intervention.
In conclusion, there are many skills that can be developed within the walls of a nightclub venue. I spent over five years working various clubs throughout Los Angeles and have used these exact exercises listed. Over time ,the lessons learned and skills developed helped me as I have grown throughout the industry, and I continue to use them now as in the close protection sector. I am a believer that you should gain knowledge from all places, and the techniques acquired in the dynamic club environment can certainly be utilized beyond the velvet rope.
Transferable Skillsets from Nightclub Security Professionals
By Devon Tait
Devon is the owner of Kingdom Risk Mitigation Services , a self-defense company based in Los Angeles California. He can be reached at Devon@KingdomAcademyTraining.com
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