Have you ever wondered why a position or title suddenly gives individuals the right to become experts in every aspect of the job? It is so common that you likely don’t even see it anymore, but look around.
Who sits on the use of force board? What about the technology used, policy changes, or training decisions?
Who is driving these and other decisions or ideas at your organization?
Is it someone with bars or stars, or is it someone who lives and breathes that particular topic?
What if we dropped the rank, killed the committees, and simply empowered those with the passion to make a difference? It’s a radical thought in the traditional hierarchy of leadership—but it might just be the boldest path forward.
At the heart of every successful organization is culture. And culture isn't built through memos or mission statements. It’s shaped through daily interactions, the energy of the people, and the alignment between individual passion and organizational purpose.
Great leaders understand this. They don’t just assign tasks—they ignite purpose. They take the time to understand what drives the people around them, and they harness that drive to place it in a position that makes the organization better.
Molding the individual's passion into their job throws gasoline on the fire. The explosion that occurs will drive a culture to heights that could only be imagined.
Personal Experience
Like any job, I experienced good and bad times over the course of my 30-year career, and I didn’t always understand why. In recent years, I’ve spent some time reflecting on my career, and I discovered something I wish I knew in the moment.
The days, months, or years that weren't great were directly related to my passion. Every day I spent in training assignments was like Christmas morning, while other assignments created anxiety just to get out of bed. When I was given a role that entailed creativity or critical thinking, I did it nonstop, whether I was on the clock or not. When I was isolated in administrative assignments, the mental anguish was devastating.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the profession, and the vast majority of it felt like a vacation compared to most jobs, but when I was placed in assignments that matched my internal passion and skill, I was unstoppable.
The best cultures are built by leaders who are brave enough to get out of the way—and wise enough to fan the flames others are already carrying.
Find out what others are carrying and give them permission to unleash it!
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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