For years I did a block of training on “How To Deal With A Disgruntled, Dysfunctional, Toxic Employee.” Then, at one point, it occurred to me that I was doing little more than trying to provide people with techniques for dealing with, tolerating, legitimizing and further enabling abusers. Yes, abusers. Those who who lie; blame others; demonstrate disdain for rules;… Read more →
I don’t spend a lot of time with negative emotions. But, this morning I woke up feeling sad. I felt sad because a bit of what is right about our Republic is being chipped away by what is wrong. When lies go unchallenged, that is wrong. When emotions override facts, that is wrong. When myths and conspiracy theories become mainstream… Read more →
All I wanted was a place where a sweet, bright, compassionate, curious, courteous little boy could go kick a soccer ball around with some other kids. So we looked at a local soccer club sanctioned by an apparently reputable national soccer organization. We paid a few hundred dollars and were quite excited. We suited and geared up. We had a… Read more →
On Memorial Day, 1998 – thirty years after I came home from Vietnam – I had the honor of being asked to speak to a few hundred Americans assembled on a parade ground. I was asked about what it was like “ … in those days …” As I look back at that speech I remain proud that I told… Read more →
If you seek a leadership “position” or a leadership “title” because you want to be – or to be seen as – a leader you have missed the entire point. Inspiring others isn’t about us. It’s about them. It’s not about a title or a position or calling one’s self a “leader.” That is simply ego riding on the proverbial… Read more →
So long as law enforcement’s budget is in the “general fund” city councils, mayors, city administrators, county administrators, finance departments, county commissions and budget committees will continue to play political football with the highest and most consecrated obligation of government – the most precious benefit of civilization: public safety. I continue to hear LEOs up-and-down the chain-of-command in organizations across… Read more →
Just as I thought. That so-called, “de-fund the police movement” has not truly caught on. It was a flash-in-the-pan media-circus moment and many of my friends and clients fell for it. So, once again, a lot of anger and worry and angst and victim-think from chicken-littles and hand-wringers and pants-pissers wasted on reacting and emoting and feeling badly and lobbying… Read more →
First, a little Bedtime Story for all employees – particularly for those who might think this organization exists to give them a job: Once upon a time there was a magical place where ones continued employment and promotional opportunities were predicated upon their willingness to demonstrate more value-added in the workplace than the sum of the resources they consumed. The… Read more →
(Click on links within the text to read some of my related articles.) It could be the sunset for an industry … or the sunrise for a revitalized industry. Yet, unlike the timeless, unchanging behavior of celestial bodies, the future is all about choices, isn’t it? So, here you are – and, goodness, it isn’t like you haven’t been trying… Read more →
I am honored to know Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. He is dedicated to family, to his community and to his profession. When politics run roughshod over reason and integrity, when liars gain prominence and are obscenely blessed by the courts, when other elected and appointed officials stand by and do nothing … well, Sheriff Ozzie is the guy you want on… Read more →
One of the stupidest, most insidious, seemingly plausible things foisted upon employees and the public by too many Chiefs, Sheriffs, Colonels, County Commissioners, Legislators, City Councils, City Managers, County Administrators and Mayors across the United States is the notion of “do more with less.” What a stupid, stupid thing to believe and a stupid thing to say. It betrays an… Read more →
Recently a long-time friend retired as Chief of Police. After he had been at home for a few weeks, he called me. “Hi!” he said. “Greetings, my Friend!” I replied. “I need your help with a little thing. You see, I am increasingly concerned that my wife is going to kill me in my sleep.” “What?!!!” I responded, knowing his… Read more →
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Please, please listen to one another. Before you blow that off, look around you. There are too many broken family relationships, too much negativism and hopelessness in the workplace, too much child abuse, too much domestic violence, too many people with financial, drug, alcohol and coping problems, and, my friends, too fn many suicides. Please, please, LISTEN to one another…. Read more →
Rid the ranks of the “It won’t work” and replace those folks with, “How can I help?” Rid the ranks of “Us versus Them” and replace those folks with “Let’s build coalitions.” Rid the ranks of “They are out to get us” and replace those folks with “We need to listen, adapt and focus on Strategic Advantage.” Rid the ranks… Read more →
As I surf about LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media sites I am struck by the number of posts – ostensibly written by titled LEO professionals – portraying Law Enforcement as a “victim.” Those posts are then commented upon by people who pile on – against community, media, the courts, and a lot of “others” – using extremely disparaging language… Read more →
C’mon, folks, where are the photos and stories of the good work you’re doing to improve people’s lives, the community member testimonials on your behalf, the hourly highlights of everyday heroines and heroes among your ranks??!! Why are you not flooding social media with those on an hourly basis? Where are the voices of your Mayor, City Council, County Commission,… Read more →
I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago: Stop Pretending. The U.S.A. is never going to be “normal” again … as if “normal” is a good thing. A microscopic entity is doing what no politician, banker, physician, philosopher, attorney, arm-waving televangelical or madman could do. It has changed the trajectory of our culture in the United States of America and… Read more →
Effective: “result,” from O.Fr. effect, from L. effectus “accomplishment, performance,” from stem of efficere “work out, accomplish,” from ex- “out” + facere “to do” Efficient: “making,” from L. efficientem (nom. efficiens), prp. of efficere “work out, accomplish” A few years ago I had the honor of crafting a speech based upon hundreds of interviews with people in leadership academies and… Read more →
As organizations throughout the United States start to form “committees” and “task forces” and other group discussion forums to deal with the issue of “Maintaining Public Trust,” I offer a few thoughts. Please consider resisting – if not downright denouncing – any effort by anyone to turn the issue of “Maintaining Public Trust” into some sort of “project” (with project… Read more →
I am honored to be of service to Corporations, City & County Governments and Public Safety agencies across the United States.
May you, your families and your teams be safe and healthy!
