Security leadership with three "Roadhouse" rules

Leading from the front is regular series from Michael Santarcangelo that shares practical tips, insights and solutions focused on security leadership, security awareness and effective communication. In this article, he explains how three rules from a film can bolster security leadership

By Michael Santarcangelo

August 01, 2011 — CSO —

Last summer I spent a few days with a company to assess the human side of their operation. As part of the process, the CSO and I walked the hallways, talked with people and then discussed our observations. During lunch on the second day, I asked about his team — specifically how he managed his team to get the results he was responsible for.

As I listened to his response, I couldn't help but smile: he employed "Roadhouse" rules.

One of the greatest "B movies" of all times, Roadhouse is the tale of Dalton, a professional bar bouncer (technically, the "cooler," the leader of the bouncers), and how he cleans up corruption in a town as he restores a bar with a rough reputation to a hotspot.

In a memorable — and colorful — scene, Dalton gathers the bar staff and explains his three simple rules:
1. Never underestimate your opponent; expect the unexpected
2. Take it outside, never start inside
3. Be nice
Note: to see the clip in context, check out this link. The "rules" start at 2:10 into the clip, but the entire scene contains coarse language not necessarily suitable to watch at work.

Roadhouse has some parallels to the role many of us face as security leaders in our respective organizations: we're the cooler head, paid well and called upon to produce change and protect the organization. To support the process, we have a team of people to work with us and face a constant (dare we say "persistent") series of attackers.

While introduced in a bar, the "Roadhouse Rules" work for security teams, too. Here are some insights with each of the rules in context:

Never underestimate your opponent
While it seems like this rule is a given for security, it helps to step back and consider the opponent. While the stress and frustration of daily operations leads to the feeling that our colleagues and clients are the opponent we face, they are on our team.

Our opponents are varied, and they are always active.
Most security professionals are already vigilant, so this rule is an opportunity to keep focus on the real opponent. Better, consider it an invitation to engage colleagues in the process of exploring opponents — get their help to discover the unexpected so that everyone is more prepared.

Plus, having colleagues on the lookout makes it easier for everyone to manage risk.

Take it outside, never start inside
In the movie, there is a scene where an unruly patron wants to fight Dalton. He "agrees" and offers to take it outside. Once they all walk outside, he smiles, turns around and walks back into the bar.

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