In the movies, after spies load up on gadgets and get behind enemy lines, they take on a covert identity. We can also use covert identities, whether it’s to mingle with the locals, negotiate for the boss, or for any other reason why you want to pretend to be someone else.
In the movies they don’t do much to make it theirs, but in the real world it’s difficult to maintain and hide your identity for a long period of time. Yet many intelligence agents do so without choice or complaint.
Why would you want to assume a cover?
Spies use a cover to convince others that they are trustworthy and to avoid suspicion. A cover is not just a costume, assuming a cover identity gives you the opportunity to put yourself in the shoes of others and think like someone else. A cover identity allows you to understand your culture and environment and better analyze someone else’s behavior. Plus, even trying a different identity in your head can help you think through difficult situations.
Thinking like the other person and putting yourself in their shoes can help in all kinds of situations. Assuming that a cover can be more valuable than personal gain, it can be a powerful way to be a more complete and flexible person, not to mention how it can help your creative blogging or writing skills. That’s how ..
Choose a cover identity that you relate to
The International Spy Museum in Washington DC asks you to assume an identity for the duration of your visit. You choose your name, date of birth, your country of origin, the reason for your trip, all the details that can be requested at a border control post. You need to choose a cover that you can actually maintain. How you choose to dress up depends on what you want to achieve.
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If you are trying to avoid detection, choose a cover that you can easily maintain through questioning. You should be able to respond and converse without difficulty. This is assuming no one is looking for you.
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Know the basic details, they should come easily, without hesitation. Your date of birth, job, address, favorite food and drink, and other basic details of the person you have decided to become.
You don’t want to get caught if someone asks you what school you attended in your new identity’s hometown, the local sports team, or other basic things you need to know as a resident. Don’t be afraid to draw on your own experiences as long as it works with your new identity. Truthful stories are the most compelling, so if you strike up a conversation about your family or an experience that would work in the situation, use it. Tell the truth whenever you can, it will make your cover more credible.
You can take a few more risks with a cover. If you’re trying to blend in with the locals, find out where they hang out before you go. Try to learn a bit of their language, even if it’s just a few basics, and check out a few maps before you go so you can get around without one or without having to ask when you get there.
Whether you’re pretending to be a local to fit in or simply wanting to avoid looking like a mentally disguised tourist, you can help. Choose a cover that you are comfortable with.
Learn as much as possible before you need it
Maintaining a coverage is being able to avoid suspicion while emulating the proper behavior of your coverage. The same applies whether it is for business or for fun. A little research goes a long way to better understand the person you are trying to be.
Try multiple identities for size
Get in the mindset of different identities as you test them to see which one fits the best. Few of us will convince another person that we are someone we are not, but pretending can boost your ego and help you deal with difficult situations. A little confidence goes a long way and pretending can help with confidence when you know what you are doing.
Resist the questions, but don’t know everything. Don’t pretend to know everything. Think about how to talk to people about the things you know. Remember, the goal is not to show that you know everything about them. Your goal is to avoid suspicion or learn something about the person, place, or situation so that you can better handle it.
The goal of involving the locals is to gain their experience and learn more about their culture. Empathy can help you understand where someone else is coming from.
Know when to get rid of the cover
You can learn a lot about yourself by putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, have a lot of fun on social occasions by being someone you are not. You can learn about their ability to lie and maintain a disguise in the process. However, there is a point where you need to return to your own identity.
The basic concepts to maintain a coverage are study, memory and empathy. It’s hard work keeping a cover up, but even trying it on for a short period can do wonders for your character and teach you to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. That is, as long as you drop your cover and don’t try to make it permanent.
Enjoy the experience and have fun, but know when to let go.