never forget why you became a police officer

Never Forget Why You Became a Police Officer

I stepped into my first roll call as a 21-year-old rookie on October 15, 1981.  I remember that day like it was yesterday. My path was unsure and I was extremely nervous. I sat down in a seat that had no seat in front of it.  Our “roll call” room also served as the municipal courtroom for the City of Marietta.  Unfortunately for me, I didn’t realize that the seat I sat in was the favorite seat of a tall officer who liked that particular seat because it was the only one without a seat in front of it. Officer Ray Smith towered over me with his hands on his hips and said, “You’re in my seat.”  I mumbled an apology and quickly moved to another seat. As I changed seats, I began to question my job choice.  It wouldn’t be the last time this happened early in my career. Why did I want to be a police officer? I took a $100 a week pay cut to take this job, and I was already questioning my choice.  In the end, I stayed because I wanted to work where I could indeed make a difference. I took a stroll down…

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are you experiencing leadership drift

Are You Experiencing Leadership Drift?

As a leader, it is critical to stay on track.   What I mean is it is vital that leaders stay on top of their game.  Leaders must focus on the vision, mission, and values of the organization.  Leaders must focus on serving their customers and/or the people served by their organization.  Leaders must also focus on helping those they work with succeed.  These attributes are helpful for you personally as you grow as a leader and advance in your career.  They are also essential for the organization you belong to. Leadership drift happens when you lose sight of what is important.  It happens when you take your eye off of your goal.  At one time or another, leadership drift happens to all of us.  It is almost inevitable.  You can mitigate its effect and take corrective action sooner, but you will likely not avoid it entirely. Drift Examples When a basketball player lines up for that 3 point jump shot, a small mistake at the release point can result in a missed shot or even a missed goal. Likewise, a baseball pitcher can miss the plate by releasing the ball too early or too late. A rocket launched by NASA to…

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unspoken interview killers

The Unspoken Interview Killers

A career filled with achievements is essential for your next promotion or new job opportunity.  So is a good resume documenting those achievements.  If you happen to be chosen for an interview, preparation is the key. Imagine you have done everything right.  Your career is filled with the right experience, and you excelled in all the critical areas.  You worked hours to document this experience and achievements with a killer resume.  You planned out every question that could be asked and practiced your responses over and over. Additional Post: 5x Your Productivity by Changing This One Habit You walk into the interview with confidence, but within minutes, you throw all your hard work away because of a few easily avoidable mistakes made with your body language and non-verbal communication. I know.  It is hard to imagine that your non-verbal communication is that important, but it is true. Good candidates walk into interviews every day, and within minutes, they sabotage the very job opportunity for which they have prepared. Survey According to a recent Harris Poll of 1,014 hiring managers, your body language mistakes can make significant negative impressions and ultimately affect hiring decisions. Follow these simple tips to prevent your…

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