How do you cope with stress and burnout in security roles?

One way we learned to deal with this in the Air Force, and a method I have used many times since, was learning how to compartmentalize stressors and create "on and off switches" . You cannot take the work home and you cannot take home to work. I know this seems like a simplistic and reductionist approach, but the idea behind it does work. It requires a conscious effort to shut out issues that may be affecting you at home while you are on the job, but is is a neccesary effort. Your primary focus in a critical security role is safety of the people and organizations you are responsible for.

In my experience, the first step in preventing burnout is self-awareness. Many security professionals overlook the importance of identifying specific stressors. Whether it’s the unpredictability of cyber threats or client pressure, documenting what consistently causes stress can help you manage it more effectively. Once you recognize these patterns, you can take proactive measures such as delegating tasks, setting boundaries, or even seeking therapy. Stressors often hide in routine tasks, so regular self-reflection is key to maintaining resilience in high-pressure environments.

There are a variety of variable factors that cause stress in a security leadership position. When assuming a position, the objective should be to assert a proactive role in project management. Create realistic short term and long term goals for project completion. Client, personnel and overhead (CPO). Manage those 3 and life while in that position will get much better. Much greater detail but that is the short story.

The challenge of the Public Safety (aka Security, Safety and EM world) is the lack of knowledge within the scope of the job. By definition we are enforcers of the policies and procedures of the organization in which we serve. Yet, many times, we lack the authority to carry out those policies. Seeking other Directors approval, or being dismissed after a decision in accordance with those policies is made yet another leader in the organization decides on an exception undermining our authority. Whether drugs, violence or criminal activities. The job is usually dealing with the negative element of the human experience yet there is lacking a sense empathy when officers are tired, stressed, underpaid or under recognized for their contribution.

Stress comes from daily encounters in relate to below 5 matters. - Family - Career - Monetary - Status - Health When any of above are not in control, we feel stressed. So there is no two ways around by solving the above related issue, the stress can be leverage. Easier said than done, but if one could start to explore above one by one and improve upon your skills or your perspectives, wouldn't stress be reduced?

Inapplicable in the long term... 😊 considering the demanding nature of security roles, incorporating regular self-care practices, such as mindfulness exercises, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, can be a valuable step to managing stress and preventing burnout.

It always happens: when everything is 'quiet' you start to hear about cutting the budget for security - then the budget gets cut - and something happens. It is very stressful to have to keep up with this cycle of review.

A factor that has assisted me, and I have seen help others. Is the development of healthy coping mechanisms that support your overall life and job goals. Some common examples: Physical fitness plays a key part in managing stress but is also part of being able to perform as safety/security professionals. Another might be attending professional meetings and events. There is something essential about communicating with others who often have experienced similar events. I have seen and had many conversations with security professionals that simply started off with, "How has your week been?" Obviously, know your audience is important here. However, many lessons can be learned from an AAR with a trusted mentor. Learning is growing.

Coping with stress and burnout in security roles requires a complex approach focused on self-care, boundary-setting and seeking support. Prioritising physical health through proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep is essential, alongside establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life. Effective time management techniques, such as task prioritisation and setting realistic deadlines, can prevent feeling overwhelmed by workload pressures. Seeking support from colleagues, friends or professional networks can provide valuable outlets for sharing concerns and gaining perspective. Investing in ongoing professional development can enhance confidence and competence in the role.

One simple way to help manage stress levels is to create an individual wellness plan as it provides a great way to empower people to manage their own health and well being. A simple 5 step approach can make a huge difference: 1. Adopt a healthy routine whenever possible 2. Use self-care - adopt little daily rituals which make you feel good about yourself. 3. Be kind to yourself - It's OK not to feel OK but don't beat yourself up about it. 4. Do things you love - make sure to set some time to do things which boost your self-esteem. 5. Celebrate your wins - whether it's work related, a new skill you have mastered or something as simple as managed to walk every lunchtime this week. Whatever gives you that positive boost.

Self-care is often underappreciated in the security industry, yet it’s essential. Based on my experience, a well-structured self-care routine should blend physical activity, mental relaxation, and personal hobbies. Exercising regularly can offset the effects of long hours spent at a desk or in stressful situations, while mindfulness techniques such as meditation help clear the mind. Prioritize downtime just as you would critical tasks—it’s not an indulgence but a necessity for longevity in demanding roles. Your performance is deeply linked to your well-being, so treat self-care as an investment.

Anyone who has worked in a security role, whether as a security guard or all the way up to a director of security, knows that things like peace, rest, and a healthy lifestyle are near unobtainable. The constant state of vigilance and suspicion can wear on an individual greatly. That being said, pursuing outlets and anchors are vital to your wellbeing. This can be hard when you work an odd shift like nights or swings, but balance must be achieved. An important point to note is to not sacrifice sleep or routine for social interaction or hobbies. Being functional is the first step towards being healthy and missing out on sleep and routine is the first step towards non-functionality. Create a base and build upon it.

On Friday I would go to my favorite burger place and order my favorite burger. You have to find ways to treat yourself as you put things in perspective.

In my experience there is not enough depth to the Security structure. As a non-revenue generating department it is difficult to get the layers necessary to allow for self care. I do believe this is an overused buzz word however with "work-life balance". But I have worked several years as a sole point of contact where laptop and phone must accompany on every vacation and every event.

Your don't need all these PC answers with buzz words in them. Sometimes you need to hit reset. Take days off and just focus on yourself. Just be a lazy bumb and recharge your batteries. It can't get more simple than that.

Bridge building with other departments is so important. Talk to people and find out what security concerns they have. If you find that you are not aware of a particular security issue do some research on it - it will come up again.

This step is crucial. I always tell my people, "do your homework". What I mean by this is to always be learning, read the laws, know the regulations, and get your certifications. One, this helps with advancement in your career (a significant stressor elminiator), and two, ensures that you actually know what you are doing and talking about. This provides an individual a more secure foundation from which to act from and can greatly increase confidence and self-assurance. Continuous self improvement is not just a great idea, it is a vital one.

Career development is essential. Specific to healthcare security here, but you can not longer just have a law enforcement background. Emergency Management, regulatory, financial, budgetary, risk analysis, safety and many more skills are needed to qualify for a leadership role in this field. As far as advancement however - One example of this is school loans in which it was necessary for advancement in my career. However, due to working in healthcare and security was not considered part of "clinical" my loans did not qualify for employer assistance. They have accelerated my career and I have no regrets of that, but I have been paying on $80k in loans for over 10 years and still owe half that. It is my only financial burden.

El desarrollo de habilidades es una estrategia valiosa para manejar el estrés y el agotamiento en roles de seguridad. Aquí hay maneras de integrar este enfoque: 1. **Formación Continua:** - Participa en programas de formación continua para mantener tus habilidades actualizadas. Mantenerse relevante reduce la ansiedad asociada con la obsolescencia de conocimientos. 2. **Especialización en Áreas Clave:** - Identifica áreas específicas de seguridad en las que puedas especializarte. La especialización puede aumentar tu confianza y eficacia en tareas críticas. 3. **Adopción de Nuevas Tecnologías:** - Mantente al tanto de las últimas tecnologías y herramientas de seguridad. La familiaridad con avances tecnológicos puede mejorar

Do not underestimate the power of a thank you. We don't need titles, parties and awards. A simple thank you in person let's us know we don't go unnoticed. One of the best activities to bring Security into the community or organization was "sponsor a leader" where a senior leader would spend a day with Security. See what they go through, what they manage and how other staff interact with them. It goes along way to relations and realization.

Feedback and recognition serve as a mental recharge. Over the years, I’ve found that actively seeking feedback not only improves performance but also provides validation and a sense of accomplishment. Security roles often involve behind-the-scenes work, making it easy to feel overlooked. Regularly engaging with supervisors, peers, and even clients about your contributions can reinforce your value. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and ensure that your hard work is visible. Positive reinforcement can dramatically reduce the emotional toll of security roles.

Recognize your security officers (S/O) when they do a good job. If you have never worked in security before you have no idea how much negativity an S/O has to deal with!

This is something true leaders should be accomplishing organically, but it cannot hurt to seek out approval in most cases. Being recognized may seem a trivial thing to some, but to the person being recognized can make their entire year. In a role as unrecognized and seemingly mundane as security, this can often be overlooked. If you are doing your job correctly, no one notices. If you make a mistake, someone can be injured or killed. Supervisors and managers in this field need to step up and ensure their people are noticed and recognized, even for the more regular tasks they accomplish.

Buscar retroalimentación y reconocimiento puede ser una estrategia efectiva para manejar el estrés y el agotamiento en roles de seguridad. Aquí hay algunas maneras de incorporar esta práctica: 1. **Solicitar Retroalimentación Constructiva:** - Pide retroalimentación regular sobre tu desempeño y cómo manejas situaciones de seguridad. Las perspectivas externas pueden proporcionar insights valiosos. 2. **Reconocer Logros Individuales y del Equipo:** - Celebra los logros, tanto personales como del equipo. El reconocimiento refuerza la motivación y reconoce el arduo trabajo. 3. **Establecer Sistemas de Reconocimiento:** - Implementa sistemas formales de reconocimiento en tu organización. Esto puede incluir premios

Aligning your daily tasks with your broader goals and values can be a game-changer in preventing burnout. I often advise security professionals to regularly revisit their career objectives and personal values. Does your current role align with them? If not, it may be time for a pivot. A sense of purpose helps buffer against the mundane or stressful aspects of security work. Ensure that your work contributes to something larger than just tasks—whether it's enhancing safety, protecting data, or making a positive impact on society.

I would suggest you find an area of security to focus on if you want to advance in a given field; security has many areas to focus on, try to stay on top of your particular field.

Using the concept of focusing on goals and progression can definitely help with stress. If you know you are working towards a better future, enduring hardships (as long as they are in furtherance of these goals) can become a little more manageable. Create a road map for where you want to go. Start at the end and work your way back. "If I want to be at X place in three years, what steps do I need to take?" Do not pass on opportunities, especially out of fear or risk-aversion. Capitalize on them and exploit them to your benefit.

Al enfrentar el estrés y el agotamiento en roles de seguridad, revisar objetivos y valores puede ser clave. Aquí hay algunas estrategias: 1. **Claridad en Objetivos Profesionales:** - Asegúrate de tener objetivos profesionales claros y realistas. Revisar y ajustarlos según las circunstancias puede proporcionar una dirección clara y reducir la ansiedad. 2. **Aligera la Carga:** - Evalúa tus responsabilidades y considera la posibilidad de delegar tareas no fundamentales. Concentrarte en lo esencial puede reducir la sensación de abrumamiento. 3. **Priorización Basada en Valores:** - Prioriza tareas y decisiones basándote en tus valores fundamentales. Esto ayuda a mantener la integridad personal y profesional.

Adaptation is one of the best traits you can possess. Flexibility will keep you sane. Current leadership will change. Current issues will be solved or the problems will be abandoned. It is your job to react and respond to these changes just as you would to a threat. Assess the situation, determine what steps you can take to actively influence the situation, and act on those decisions. If you cannot do any of these things, ride the new environment out. Better days are ahead and better opportunities too.

Adapting to change is a survival skill in security. Based on my experience, embracing change not only helps professionals stay ahead of threats but also prevents burnout. Security is dynamic, whether you're in cybersecurity or physical security roles—growth opportunities abound. Welcome new challenges and see them as pathways to personal and professional growth. The key is to adopt a mindset that views change not as a threat, but as an opportunity to innovate and evolve, keeping your work exciting and fulfilling.

Aceptar el cambio y el crecimiento es fundamental para lidiar con el estrés y el agotamiento en roles de seguridad. Aquí hay algunas estrategias relacionadas con esa perspectiva: 1. **Mentalidad de Aprendizaje Continuo:** - Adopta una mentalidad de aprendizaje constante. Considera cada desafío como una oportunidad para adquirir nuevas habilidades y conocimientos. 2. **Flexibilidad ante el Cambio:** - Desarrolla flexibilidad para adaptarte a entornos y amenazas en constante evolución. La capacidad de ajustarse facilita la gestión del estrés asociado con cambios imprevistos. 3. **Establecer Metas Realistas:** - Define metas alcanzables y adaptables a medida que evolucionan las circunstancias.

Remember, your well-being is directly tied to your ability to perform effectively in security roles. Make it a habit to periodically step back and assess your mental, physical, and emotional health. Engage with communities of fellow security professionals, both for support and shared experiences. Finally, if you ever feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Burnout can be mitigated with the right strategies, but it requires continuous attention and adjustment as you progress in your career.

TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE. That is how to handle normal high stress in a security leadership role; is possible, and don't take it personal.

Resilience is a choice, and a simple one. If security is a career that you have chosen or sunk a great deal of time and effort into, and want to continue to do so, then please take it seriously. View your charges as "your people" and take all the necessary steps towards protecting them. Seek guidance and mentorship from those with more experience. Do not give up, but do give your all.

En roles de seguridad, es crucial abordar el estrés y el agotamiento de manera efectiva. Aquí hay consideraciones clave: 1. **Autoconocimiento:** - Reconoce tus propios límites y comprende las señales de estrés. La autoconciencia es fundamental para abordar el agotamiento de manera proactiva. 2. **Equilibrio entre Trabajo y Vida:** - Establece límites claros entre el trabajo y la vida personal. Prioriza el tiempo para descansar y actividades que te ayuden a desconectar. 3. **Apoyo Social:** - Mantén conexiones sólidas con colegas y busca apoyo en tu red profesional. Compartir experiencias y preocupaciones puede aliviar el estrés. 4. **Gestión Efectiva del Tiempo:** - Organiza tu tiempo de manera eficiente. Prioriza tareas