Day: November 28, 2025

Rekha GairolaDirector, India – Global Safety & Security, Adobe In an era of high-stakes corporate risk where uncertainty, reputational damage or business disruption is one incident away, the role of the corporate security leader has never been more important. These leaders, in the boardrooms and beyond, are the under-the-radar forces who are ensuring the safety of employees; protecting assets; ensuring a continuity for brands. But even as their job has become more significant and crucial, many security heads are still shut out from strategic decisions. It’s not really about performance, it’s all perception – and the essence of that perception problem is communication.Let’s unpack why communication – the spoken word, non-verbals and vocals, are no longer a ‘soft skill’ for today’s corporate security professional. It is the divide between influence and invisibility. That’s the difference between being perceived as a cost centre, or as a strategic partner. And for most, it is the piece that is missing in their leadership. The Quiet Side of the Corporate Map Corporate security function has evolved at a fairly fast pace in India and at other regions as well. Security teams who used to focus only on guarding and gatekeeping manage a wide spectrum of tasks today – insider threats, investigations, business continuity, regulatory risk, workplace violence and even political intelligence. But they have not ridden this trend to increased access to decision-making rooms. Too often, security is: And the result? A critical function that’s marginalized in business conversations – tools that we need for the future, but no one seems to want them in a business conversation. Why the Gap? A Communication Deficit The disconnect is seldom a failure of expertise. In fact, the vast majority of security people have great operational excellence. But they also stem from military, police or engineering backgrounds, environments that reward directness and execution, not always headline writing and persuasion. This creates a communication gap: And security is in itself, preventive. But here’s the twist – when you successfully avert something, nothing happens. And then when everything doesn’t, you have to tell the audience very clearly and forcefully what could have happened but didn’t. Communication: The Power and Art of Persuasion In this fresh paradigm, communication is not add-on – it’s fundamental leadership capability. As they lead their organizations through multifaceted, complex risk, security professionals must understand the business lens and know how to influence peers across functional lines in building trust at every level. One useful lens through which we can view this is by using Maslow’s Five Levels of Communication: Well, most security communication lives at level 2. Leadership is alive on levels 4 and 5. Here are the 3 Principles Of ‘Leadership Communication’ Verbal: Framing the message A poignant message begins with resonant words. Security executives need to contextualize risk for the business, and not just in technical detail. Examples: Non-verbal: How you show up The way you stand, the way you look, how your eyes meet, what’s on your slides, even what you put in an email, helps shape that message. Confidence attracts attention long before competence. Build executive presence by – when meeting with others, the gestures should be calm and open; designing narratives through crisp and bold visuals; and writing to be read and acted upon. Vocal: The Energetics of Communication Monotone delivery drains attention. Dynamic vocal delivery builds trust. Work on pitch, tone, pausing and modulation to bring energy to your delivery, particularly when giving a crisis briefing or board update. A Missed Opportunity: A True Anecdote I had the pleasure of meeting Rajesh (Changed the name and related info to maintain confidentiality) at a regional leadership workshop in Mumbai. He was responsible for all corporate security at several manufacturing facilities throughout western India. He was battle-tested, unflappable under pressure and had quietly stewarded the city through crises as varied as labor strikes and flood evacuations. During one of the breaks, over a cup of tea, he mentioned something almost in passing – how, a few weeks earlier, his team had quietly leaned on local community leaders to spare his plant from yet another protest before it reached its gates. That one act enabled a full production run to take place, avoided any bad press and ensured that 600 of our employees worked for the rest of the year safely, never knowing there had been a threat. When I asked whether he had brought this up with the leadership team, he shrugged – “It’s part of the job,” he said, “If nothing was done, yeah, we did well.” That moment stuck with me, because it expressed the very challenge this article is concerned with. The point isn’t that security leaders aren’t doing good work it’s that they’re not talking about it. Rajesh didn’t lack impact. He didn’t have an outlet or perhaps license to talk about it in ways the business could relate to and value. And he’s not alone. From one industry to the next, countless professionals like him are cutting down on risk, protecting their companies’ brand reputation and protecting people every day, all while being mostly out of sight for decision makers. So, How Much Is Poor Communication Costing? The results are nuanced, but profound: When security leaders abandon their own voice, others define their value. From Good to Great: What Security Leaders Need to Do Now The Voice Behind the Shield The world does not simply require security professionals to defeat threats. It requires leadership that predicts them, communicates them and affects action. Security is possibly behind, but the voice surely should not be. You already have a seat at the table. Now speak like it! Because when corporate security speaks with authority, the business pays attention. (The author is also an Internationally Certified Life Skills Trainer) Read More

Veena GuptaFounder & MD, Seam Risk Consultancy Executive Protection (EP) is often misunderstood by the general public – and even by many practitioners entering the field. Popular imagery portrays a protector as a tall, muscular figure dressed in black, wearing sunglasses, scanning the environment like a hawk. While physical fitness and vigilance matter, they represent only a fraction of what the profession truly requires. In reality, Executive Protection is not a show of strength. It is a strategic discipline, combining intelligence analysis, risk management, human psychology, logistical planning, and discreet operational execution. It is a profession where small details save lives, and invisibility is often the strongest armour. The myth vs. the reality Most people believe that EP is just about a forceful person specifically with military background, physical intimidation, a certain bodyguard look – walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the principal and similar on. But the truth is simpler – and more demanding. Effective EP is built on the ability to think ahead, anticipate risks, and eliminate them before the principal even becomes aware of them. A protector must be a planner, reader of people, strategist, communicator, and problem-solver. Strength may stop a threat; preparation prevents it entirely. The microscopic details that matter In the field, it is often the small, easily ignored details that define the safety of the principal. These details go beyond the traditional security scope and enter the domain of holistic protection. Consider the following examples – rarely visible to an outsider but critical for an EP operator: 1. Vehicles and drivers 2. Aircraft and charter checks 3. Hotels, dining, and hospitality 4. Movement and logistics These details may appear insignificant, but for EP, the difference between safety and vulnerability is often a matter of seconds – and those seconds depend on preparation. The professional scope of executive protection A skilled Executive Protection Officer must master several core areas such as: Executive Protection (EP) is often misunderstood by the general public – and even by many practitioners entering the field. Popular imagery portrays a protector as a tall, muscular figure dressed in black, wearing sunglasses, scanning the environment like a hawk. While physical fitness and vigilance matter, they represent only a fraction of what the profession truly requires The real definition of executive protection Executive Protection is not a physical shield. It is a mental discipline, a strategic art, and a lifestyle of constant vigilance. It is knowing that a tyre with low air pressure can cause a fatal accident; a small crowd can suddenly become uncontrollable; an unreserved hotel table can create exposure; a distracted driver can become a liability; a wrong seat position in a restaurant can compromise safety; and a pigeon nest on a charter aircraft can delay takeoff and disrupt movement security. Most people see the protector walking beside the principal. They never see the hundred invisible tasks that make that walk safe. Conclusion In every sense, Executive Protection is an art that blends intelligence, discipline, anticipation, and humility. The best protector is not the one who looks dangerous – but the one who thinks deeper, plans wider, and moves smarter. EP is not about muscles – it is about mastery. Read More