Remember, security guards are often the first point of contact in an emergency, so possessing soft skills such as empathy and resilience is essential to help them manage difficult situations and provide support.
In this article, we take a look at the five vital skills that every security guard should have.
1. Good communication
Security guards often need to give clear instructions, defuse challenging situations and provide detailed reports. Not only must they have good verbal communication skills, but they should also be able to write well and listen to others.
As they deal with the general public, colleagues, and emergency services, it’s crucial that they communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively to help manage emergency situations and report incidents.
2. Empathy
This one may be a little surprising and perhaps not a skill that immediately springs to mind, but empathy is important for security guards. Taking the time to understand a situation and the emotions behind an individual’s actions can often help with conflict resolution.
It’s imperative that security guards demonstrate empathy and compassion in various scenarios, such as when defusing tension, interacting with the general public, or reassuring those who may be in distress or vulnerable.
3. Integrity
A security guard is trusted to protect people, places and sometimes private information. Being honest and reliable is a big part of the job. Security guards must act with integrity, treat everyone with respect, and always strive to do the right thing to help build trust with those aroun them.
4. Resilience
Being a security guard is not an easy job. They often find themselves in challenging situations that require patience, understanding and a professional approach at all times. It’s a role that can be both physically and emotionally demanding, which is why resilience is an important skill for a security guard.
Someone who is resilient can separate their emotions to always stay composed and make the right decisions. They can stay focused and not let challenging behaviour affect how they do their job.
5. Situational awareness
Things can change quickly, and situations can escalate in a matter of minutes, but always being on top of what is going on helps security guards notice these changes and take quick action before a situation gets out of control.
Continuously monitoring for potential threats or suspicious activity is one of the most valuable skills a security guard can possess, enabling them to perform their job to the best of their ability.
Are you looking for professional security guard services?
Whether you need static day guards, night guards, mobile security patrols, or event security, at Stonewall Security, we can help you gain peace of mind with our high-quality security services.
If you would like to know more, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
