Derrick McManus, former STAR Group officer and founder of Human Durability
Insight
Does being nervous affect performance in high-risk situations?
Derrick McManus, former STAR Group officer and founder of Human Durability
Derrick McManus, former STAR Group officer and founder of Human Durability, speaking with podcast host Aleksandra King on The BEYOND Podcast. Derrick McManus says he and his STAR Group colleagues train for high-risk work and want to use those skills; anyone who goes in nervous performs below the level needed.
McManus served in a police special forces unit that wanted the dangerous work, and he offers an ordinary afternoon as evidence. Watching a news briefing about a hijacked plane that might land in Perth or might land in Adelaide, the unit started calling for Adelaide.
If you go into these things nervous, you're not going to perform at the level you need.
Derrick McManusFormer South Australian Police STAR Group officer and founder of Human DurabilityAsked whether even the videographer felt that way, he says the man knew he had their protection and would always stay back. On his account, the excitement he describes on the drive towards a violent man is part of what the team takes on.
Related insights
Cite this page Derrick McManus, former STAR Group officer and founder of Human Durability, “Does being nervous affect performance in high-risk situations?”, at 8:45 in conversation with Aleksandra King, The BEYOND Podcast, 21 May 2026. Sourced.media. https://sourced.media/questions/does-being-nervous-affect-performance-in-high-risk-situations/ (permanent identifier https://sourced.media/id/C_NGZNF7V8RE)
Derrick McManusGuest
Aleksandra KingHost
Human Durability
