Many CEOs dont want bodyguards even after Brian Thompson murder heres what theyre doing instead

As corporations and their boards scramble to protect the C-suite after the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — scrubbing company Web sites of bios and photos — they’re facing one big issue.Many executives don’t want to deal with the massive lifestyle change that can come with having a bodyguard.“Unless they’re ex-Mossad they probably aren’t going to be that helpful,” one high-level executive who has eschewed security, told NYNext.“I don’t want to walk around with bodyguards.”This person explained he’s been around enough people who have guards to see how it can interfere with your life — the annoyance of someone invading personal moments and never feeling truly alone.

If anything, he believes, “It makes you more conspicuous.” Indeed, said Yale School of Management’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, “Most CEOs don’t want security.”Sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity said they are more willing to increase safety measures by taking safety into their own hands.That ranges from applying for a concealed carry permit to buying a pepper spray “pistol” (the Byrna gun, which advertises itself as being the “less lethal weapon”) to, in one case, even donning a bullet proof vest. Another source, who admits he’s been worried about disgruntled shareholders targeting him, said that since Thompson’s shooting he tries to be more aware of his surroundings when walking around.

But he would rather be able to protect himself than outsource his safety.“It’s too affected,” he explains.But for boards — who could be on the hook for shareholder lawsuits if they’re not adequately protecting executives — security is a priority.“It’s not the first agenda item … but it’s pretty high up,” Sonnenfeld said.“There is panic from corporate America.

If something happens to a public company CEO, it will affect the stock price,” said Mac Segal, whose AHNA Group provides security for wealthy individuals and corp...