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Rule Number Three; THINK SURVIVAL. I use an
acronym called T.H.I.N.K.
T=Team Control; you are never alone in the
incident. Even if you are the only hostage, you
will have professionals working to aid your
release. However, remember they will not have the
luxury of communicating with you directly, so
remember you ARE part of the TEAM and your
assistance is needed.
H= Hold them Accountable. Watch what is going on
around you without being conspicuous. It will be
useful in future disciplinary and legal actions.
Moreover, it is useful in keeping your mind off
your present situation.
I=Instincts, Follow your Instincts. Before you are
"caught" up in a poor situation, listen to your
gut feeling. Listen to that "butterfly" in you
tummy. If the situation does not look right, smell
right or even "sound" right or normal, tell
someone. Talk to someone in authority. Let people
know what you are thinking or sensing. Even if
you're wrong, you do not have to live with the
failure or guilt of not having let someone know
what you felt. Keep in mind Team Control even if
you are not on the current team that your senses
have been alerted about.
N= No escaping! If you try and you fail, you are
in big big trouble with the hostage taker. That
will undoubtedly "piss" him or her off. That is
not to say if there is an OPEN door, and I am
standing by that door, that I would not try to
leave. Nevertheless, I would have to consider the
other persons being held and their potential
problems if the hostage takers got angry over
their recent loss.
K= Keep your self-esteem. Keep your chin up. That
is so important to your sanity and your survival.
Remember your family and your friends. Keep your
Pride.
We hope you and your co-workers never need to use this advice.
Dr. Curtis M. Johnson is a Senior Trainer with The Negotiation Skills Company and a dentist in both private practice and with the New York State Department of Correctional Services. He is also a certified Situation Controller (Hostage Negotiator). As a trainer, Dr. Johnson specializes in "How to Handle Difficult People" and the development of skills for counteracting Verbal Dirty Fighting as well as Conflict Resolution.
Dr. Johnson has served as Team Leader for the Crisis Intervention Unit at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a 2,300 inmate maximum-security penitentiary, initiated the New York State Critical Incidence Stress Debriefing Unit and is an invited mediator with the Yonkers (N.Y.) Mediation Society.
Curtis Johnson may be reached at www.negotiationskills.com.
Copyright© 2002, The Negotiation Skills Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright© 2002, The Negotiator Magazine