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. …

There is a continuing debate about whether an internal or external candidate is the best choice for police chief.  The truth is it depends, a lot, on the dynamics of the particular job being applied for. I was an internal candidate for police chief at the Marietta Police Department and did not get the job.  Just two years later, I was an external candidate for the police chief job at the Dunwoody Police Department and got the job. Of course, all candidates for the Dunwoody job were external candidates since it was a brand-new police department! Let’s examine the top six advantages of being an inside candidate for police chief. 1. Well Established Relationships The effectiveness of any police chief is predicated in part on having a good relationship with the community, department staff and the elected officials. An internal candidate typically has worked at the department for many years and built positive relationships with those three groups. Internal candidates answer thousands of calls for service, attend countless community meetings and participate in hundreds of citywide events all of which contribute toward that positive relationship. Similarly, having your fellow officers back over time and being there for each other through…