Hesitation Costs Lives: Why Security Professionals Must Have the Courage to Speak Up

Being subservient isn’t always the way to do things. Sometimes we need the courage of our convictions to make sure the outcome is what we are planning for.

In private security, that outcome is clear: safeguarding lives.

But too often, hesitation creeps in. We hesitate to challenge, to advise, or to suggest a stronger approach, for fear of upsetting the client, losing the contract, or being labelled “over the top.”

That hesitation costs lives.

The Hard Truth

Clients often don’t see risk the way we do. A principal may insist on a “low-profile” team to blend in. A venue manager might argue that visible security “puts people off.”

A corporate leader may treat risk assessments as little more than box-ticking paperwork.

We’ve all been there: sitting in a meeting, listening to the client describe the coverage they want, and knowing deep down that it won’t hold up if the threat manifests. And yet, many of us swallow our words.

Why?

Because challenging a client can feel like biting the hand that feeds us. Because we fear being replaced by another provider who will “just say yes.”

But this is where professionalism counts.

Our role is not simply to deliver what the client wants; it’s to ensure they understand what they need.

A Scenario We All Recognise

Imagine this:

Our Principal is attending a conference in a busy city centre. They request just one close protection officer because they don’t want to “draw attention.” The officer knows that the venue has multiple public access points, protest groups have announced their presence online, and the principal will need to move through exposed areas.

The CP/EP hesitates. They don’t want to appear difficult, so they accept the assignment with no additional support.

On the day, the principal is swarmed by an aggressive crowd on exit.

They are shaken by the event and furious that the operative “wasn’t prepared.”

Now ask yourself: whose fault is that? The principal, for underestimating the threat? Or security, for failing to insist on that extra support was clearly needed?

The truth: it’s both. And it was entirely preventable.

The Courage to Lead

Having these conversations isn’t easy. It takes confidence, professionalism, and the ability to stand firm under pressure. But our job is not to agree, it is to protect.

That means saying:

• “This cover will not meet the threat profile.”

• “These routes need changing; choke points create vulnerabilities.”

• “A single operative is not sufficient for this environment.”

The client may push back. They may not like the cost, the visibility, or the disruption. But they will respect your honesty, and, most importantly, they will be safer for it.

Why We Hesitate

It’s important to understand why hesitation is so common in our industry:

• Fear of losing business: Nobody wants to be replaced by a cheaper, less assertive competitor.

• Misplaced customer service mindset: Many operatives see themselves as service providers, not partners. They confuse politeness with compliance.

• Hierarchy and ego: Challenging a VIP or executive can feel intimidating—especially when their ego is bigger than the risk profile.

• Comfort zones: Sometimes, it’s easier to nod along and deliver the minimum.

But let’s be clear: these are excuses, not reasons. When lives are at stake, hesitation isn’t professional; it’s negligent.

From Hesitation to Action

To move past hesitation, we need to shift our perspective. See yourself not as a passive supplier, but as an active security partner.

You’re not there just to follow instructions; you’re there to provide expertise, leadership, and the moral courage to speak out.

Three ways to put that into practice:

1. Be proactive. Don’t wait to be asked. Conduct thorough risk assessments and present your findings with confidence. Lay out the “why,” not just the “what.”

2. Be honest. If something won’t work, say it. Plainly and professionally. Sugar-coating risks only serves to put your client in danger.

3. Be resolute. Stand firm when safety is on the line. Even if it means uncomfortable conversations, your credibility comes from doing the right thing, not the easy thing.

The Bottom Line

Hesitation costs lives. Silence can be deadly. Having the courage to challenge your client isn’t arrogance; it’s leadership.

The cost of offending a client is nothing compared to the cost of losing one to a preventable threat.

And in truth, most clients, especially serious principals, want honesty. They may resist in the moment, but they will value a partner who has the conviction to push back when it matters.

As professionals, we must remind ourselves daily: our job isn’t to agree. Our job is to protect. And that starts with courage, the courage to speak, to advise, and, when necessary, to say no.

Because in our profession, hesitation doesn’t just risk reputations. It risks lives.