I use the word "common" loosely since the process used to hire a police chief varies dramatically from city to city. You might say the process shifts like sand in the sea from opening to opening, but that would probably be a little too much hyperbole. Anyway, l have participated in several different hiring processes in the last 10-15 years. I have also observed the shift in methods used from a strictly internal approach to a more public process in the last several years. Small, medium and large police departments can use different processes. Listed below are the typical processes used to hire a police chief. By no stretch of the imagination does this list cover the breadth of possibilities. A list such as that would take an entire book. Instead, I have tried to include the most common approaches. Internal Process By far, this is the most common process. I would even call it the traditional approach. The process works like this. They advertise the position and collect resumes. The hiring officials sift through the applications and narrow them down to 8-12 applicants to participate in the interview process. The City Manager or Mayor, depending on who the hiring…

A few years ago, a friend and I bought a house to rehabilitate and sell.  After a few months, the majority of the major work was completed.  It seemed to take forever to finish the last 5% and get it ready to sell. Likewise, an NFL team can march down the field 10, 20, or 30 yards at a time.  Something happens though once they get near the goal line.  The last 10 yards seems to take more effort than the previous 90. I began thinking about this topic after watching a compilation video on Facebook showing a bunch of people fail, just when they were on the brink of success. Check out the video. As a leader, it is easy to take your eye off the finish line or get distracted when you are so close to success. Here are 5 mistakes leaders make when they are on the brink of success. Looking Back Too Early There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking out your surroundings, even looking back at what you have accomplished.  In fact, it can be helpful.  A continuous scan of your surroundings as you progress toward your goal is important to achieving success.  However, make…

The temperature in Atlanta, Georgia has been rather cool the last few weeks.  Actually, I would say downright cold, although the last few days have been rainy with moderate temperatures. I don’t like cold weather, especially when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. I know, 20 degrees isn’t too bad for some places but it is pretty cold for here. Anyways, the cold temperature started me thinking about the difference between a thermostat and a thermometer. A thermostat registers the temperature in the room and adjusts its setting according to how it has been programmed to regulate the temperature.  A thermometer, on the other hand, takes the temperature and reports the results. A thermometer has little power or influence while a thermostat has both. Good leaders operate like a thermostat. A Thermostat Sets the Temperature The temperature can be controlled by a thermostat so the environment is comfortable for those in the area controlled by the thermostat.  When it is cold outside, a thermostat can make it nice and toasty inside.  When it is warm outside, a thermostat can cool things off. A good leader creates the right environment inside the organization, which provides a productive climate to work in. …