08/18/2020
Gavin de Becker—who is a long-time security specialist—used his expertise to find trends in stories of violence. He took these trends and used them to determine seven indicators (events or behaviors) that lead to violence, specifically in the workplace, home, school, and other social situations. de Becker lays out these seven indicators, but he also provides useful scenarios that highlight each one.
⛓Forced teaming - Using "we" can be a way to trick you into letting your guard down. Because "we're in this together."
⛓Charm and niceness - Being nice is a decision, and when paired with other indicators, this choice can have ulterior motives.
⛓Too many details - Unnecessary details can be a sign of trying to add credibility to a lie.
⛓Typecasting - This can look like an insult designed to rile you up and engage.
⛓Loan sharking - Giving unsolicited help can be used to provoke reciprocity.
⛓The unsolicited promise - A big sign that the promise will be broken.
⛓Discounting the word "no" - An inability to accept rejection.
These indicators aren't designed to make you feel worried—de Becker specifies that fear is different than worry or anxiety. Instead, the pre-incident indicators should be used as a way to increase your awareness. This book teaches you how to stand in your own intuition. What makes you feel safe? Your environment? The people around you?
We train based on the foundation that "you have the gift of a brilliant internal guardian that stands ready to warn you of hazards and guide you through risky situations" and that your “woman's intuition" may save your life.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker (animated book summary) Predict violent behavior, live a safer life With the recent, tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas by...
