Mind Your NQRs: Strengthening Intuition Through Non-Judgmental Observation
At Risk 2 Solution, we know that personal safety begins with situational awareness. The challenge, however, lies in understanding what to look for and how to respond once something doesn’t feel right.
Simply telling people to “be more aware” isn’t enough. Awareness without context can leave even the most observant person unsure of what matters. Like a toddler watching a busy road, we may see danger but lack the experience to interpret it—or to act on it in time.
Experience, training, and education sharpen awareness. But situational awareness concepts often come from military or law enforcement models that feel overwhelming or inaccessible to everyday people. Most individuals don’t need to analyse traffic stops or search for suicide vests—they need practical skills for recognising early warning signs in everyday environments like schools, healthcare settings, offices, and public spaces.
That is why we developed a simple, universal concept: NQRs—Not Quite Right.
Why Focus on NQRs?
Through our training programs, we discovered that complex models and military jargon often create a barrier to learning for those outside of policing or defence. People wanted something intuitive, easy to apply, and relevant to real-world situations.
Many of our participants also struggled with the idea of “judging” others. Good people often dismiss their instincts for fear of appearing biased or unfair.
NQRs eliminate the need to assign intent or guilt. Instead, they focus purely on recognising that something—a person, an object, or a situation—doesn’t fit. It’s a way to trust intuition without judgment.
Recognising NQRs in People
When observing people, look for behaviours that seem unusual for the context:
- Emotions: Do they appear unusually angry, anxious, fearful, or distressed?
- Non-Verbal Cues: Does their body language match their words? Are facial expressions authentic or forced?
- Mannerisms: Are they behaving more reserved, animated, or erratic than expected?
- Distance: Are they maintaining appropriate social and cultural space? Someone getting too close may be attempting to intimidate; someone staying far back may be fearful or on edge.
- Furtiveness: Are they scanning for exits, concealing their identity, or positioning themselves for a quick escape? Even subtle actions, like angling feet towards a door, can be a sign.
- Appearance: Does their clothing or general appearance make sense for the environment? For example, bulky clothing in warm weather may conceal objects, or grooming choices may indicate specific stressors.
- Grouping: Is the size or distribution of a group unusual? Ten people together at a sports event may be normal—but ten people loitering separately in a small car park may not be.
- Incongruent Behaviour: Are their words or actions out of place, like someone with a smartphone asking for the time or photographing children without a reason to be there?
Recognising NQRs in Objects
Objects can also be indicators of risk:
- Danger: Does the item have the potential to cause harm?
- Belonging: Is the object in a place where it logically belongs?
- Suspicious Placement: Does the context make its presence unusual?
- Concealment: Has someone attempted to hide it?
- Explanation: Is there a plausible, benign reason for the object to be there?
Recognising NQRs in Situations
Situations and environments can shift quickly. Pay attention to:
- Crowd Patterns: Are there more—or fewer—people than you would expect?
- Noise Levels: Is it suddenly very quiet, or is there an unusual spike in noise?
- Mood: What is the overall emotional tone of the environment?
- Vehicles: Are there unfamiliar vehicles, those without plates, or those positioned in unusual ways?
Why NQRs Matter
None of these observations are about judgment—they are simply about noticing patterns and changes. Recognising NQRs equips us to make informed, timely decisions based on our own internal risk assessments.
Recognising when something is Not Quite Right—and acting on it—can make all the difference.
Further Learning
At Risk 2 Solution, situational awareness and behavioural observation are core pillars of our safety and security programs. These skills are taught across industries including healthcare, education, transport, retail, and corporate settings, equipping teams to proactively prevent harm.
For those looking to deepen their knowledge, our recommended resources include:
Books
- Can I See Your Hands? – Dr Gav Schneider
- Left of Bang – Patrick Van Horne & Jason A. Riley
- The Gift of Fear – Gavin De Becker
- Living in the Deep Brain – Rory Miller
Online Training
