Security Management: Leadership, Workplace Violence & Terrorism

Introduction to Security Management

Security management encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, from cultivating effective leadership and preventing workplace violence to responding to terrorism at both local and global levels. The following sections address each of these areas in turn, drawing on current research and professional practice.

Improving Leadership Skills in Security Contexts

While some people may be more naturally inclined toward leadership than others, all individuals can lead and all can learn to lead more effectively. Several approaches support the ongoing development of leadership skills in security professionals.

Leaders need to continually develop in their roles. Owing to the knowledge-based nature of managerial tasks, the term "development" is used to describe the continuous growth in skills and cognition of executives and managers. Managerial development is promoted through education acquired in various settings (Fernandez et al., 2015). Attending programs offered by general management institutions and security-related organizations can help meet developmental requirements and keep leaders current with evolving professional standards.

A leader must engage in constant training and deliberate practice of the skills needed to improve performance — including integrity, delegation, and patience — until mastery over those skills is achieved. Consistent practice reinforces competency and builds the confidence required in high-stakes security environments.

The mentoring process involves the transfer of knowledge, understanding, and judgment from a wise and trusted advisor — often an experienced individual — to another person, typically an aspiring leader, to guide that person's growth and achievement (Fernandez et al., 2015). Mentoring may be provided by those already in leadership roles who have encountered similar security-related challenges, or by peers who work together to develop a shared understanding of sound leadership in the context of current security threats.

Workplace Violence as a Security Concern

Workplace violence is a major concern among protection professionals in large industrial and commercial organizations. Even though the workplace — and offices in particular — is statistically among the safer environments for people to occupy, any gathering and interaction of people in a shared space renders differences of opinion, disputes, and discord unavoidable. For security personnel, these dynamics are a cause for concern because they can serve as triggers for workplace violence.

Stress arising from both personal and professional sources may cause employees to reach a breaking point and lash out at those they perceive as adversaries. Personnel who are overworked may contribute to an unpleasant work environment; when this is compounded by personal problems, the consequences can be destructive or even fatal. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recognizes workplace stress as a significant contributor to violence risk in organizational settings.

Unawareness of the likelihood of violence within a company can result in the organization failing to implement adequate conflict resolution and safety measures, leaving it vulnerable to attack from both clients and personnel and without the tools necessary to de-escalate threatening situations. This denial of risk is itself a security hazard, as it prevents proactive planning and timely intervention.