If you aren’t following our weekly podcast, “Courageous Leadership with Travis Yates” please do so. You can follow at the website but the best way to keep up with new episodes is to plug it into your favorite podcast platform (Apple, Spotify, etc.). With that said, I’m also honored to co-host The Bravery Blueprint with Brian Ellis from the National Command College. We interview 25 leaders a year and the conversations are always fantastic. It’s like drinking from a firehouse in regard to leadership and once in a while I get so inspired I have to share it with you.
Our discussion with Chief Scott Hughes hasn’t been released yet but you will be encouraged by his insights. Here is a summary of his leadership style and it’s one I hope each of you embrace.
Remember Your Roots: Always keep in mind where you came from. Many leaders forget their beginnings, which can lead to disconnect from their teams. Stay grounded and connected to the front-line workers.
Support Your Team: Understand that the morale of your officers is crucial. If they feel supported and valued, they are more likely to stay and perform well. A lack of support can lead to high turnover rates.
Effective Communication: Maintain an open-door policy. Encourage team members to come to you with ideas or concerns. Communication should flow freely, not be hindered by rank.
Invest in Your People: Provide training and professional development opportunities. Show that you are invested in their growth, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and better performance.
Find a Way to Say Yes: When team members come to you with ideas or requests, try to find a way to accommodate them instead of immediately saying no. This fosters a culture of positivity and innovation.
Encourage Proactivity: Foster an environment where officers feel safe to be proactive. If they fear repercussions for making decisions, they will hesitate to act, which can hinder effective policing.
Address Organizational Stress: Understand that the stress faced by officers often stems from organizational issues rather than external pressures. Work to create a supportive environment that prioritizes well-being.
Be a Visible Leader: Engage with your team regularly. Show that you are present and involved in their daily activities. This builds trust and respect.
Embrace Change: Be open to new ideas and approaches. The landscape of law enforcement is ever-evolving, and adaptability is key to effective leadership.
Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance: Encourage your team to take time off and recharge. A well-rested officer is a more effective one.
Recognize and Reward Efforts: Acknowledge the hard work and dedication of your team. Recognition goes a long way in boosting morale and motivation.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate the behaviors and values you want to see in your team. Your actions set the tone for the entire organization.
Foster Inclusivity: Create an environment where everyone feels valued and included. Diverse perspectives lead to better problem-solving and innovation.
Be Transparent: Share information openly with your team. Transparency builds trust and helps everyone feel invested in the organization’s success.
Encourage Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from your team on processes and leadership. Use this information to make informed improvements.
Stay Committed to Core Values: Keep your focus on the mission and values of the organization. This commitment will guide your decisions and actions.
Understand the Human Element: Remember that your team members are human beings with emotions and lives outside of work. Show empathy and understanding in your leadership approach.
Build Relationships: Establish strong relationships with your team. Trust and camaraderie can enhance collaboration and effectiveness.
Practice Self-Care: As a leader, it’s vital to take care of your own well-being. A healthy leader can better support their team.
Now you may ask yourself, this looks like plain old common sense? You would be right but we all know that law enforcement leadership has jumped the shark far too many times when it comes to common sense leadership.
The common theme is caring for others and if we can do that, pretty much everything else will take care of itself.
Lead On & Stay Courageous!
Dr. Travis Yates retired as a commander with a large municipal police department after 30 years of service. He is the author of “The Courageous Police Leader: A Survival Guide for Combating Cowards, Chaos & Lies.” His risk management and leadership seminars have been taught to thousands of professionals across the world. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy with a Doctorate Degree in Strategic Leadership and the CEO of the Courageous Police Leadership Alliance.
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