Articles (will be moved to classroom)

What I Wish I Knew When I First Promoted

When I first promoted into a leadership role in policing, I thought I had it figured out. After all, I had mastered the technical side: the tactics, the reports, the investigations. I knew the law, I could make an arrest,…

We Need New Metrics

“What gets measured gets done.” But what if the things that matter most in high performing teams — trust, psychological safety, sense of purpose — are the very things we’re not measuring very well…or at all? Military and private sector…

Learning to Lead: The Best Lessons Come from What Not to Do

By Jack Cauley and Doreen Jokerst, November, 2024 “The best lessons I learned were from the trials I lost and not the one’s I won.” –Pat O’Rourke You’re highly unlikely to find a successful leader who can’t recall the mistakes they…

Lifelong Learning: The Foundation of Servant Leadership in Policing In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of policing, the demand for effective leadership is greater than ever. Our communities look to us not only to protect and serve but to model…

Moving Beyond Promotion: Becoming a Leader Worth Following

In every profession, including policing, promotion often comes as a reward for excelling in specific technical skills. The officer with the most arrests, the detective with the highest clearance rate, or the analyst who produces the most reports often rises…

Policing and the “Golden Circle” framework

Applying Simon Sinek ‘s “Golden Circle” framework to policing can help shift the profession from a reactive, enforcement-driven mindset to a purpose-driven, trust-based model. The Golden Circle consists of three levels: Start with WHY: The Purpose of Policing Many agencies define themselves by what they do (enforce laws,…

Accountability: The Leadership Standard That Sets You Apart

Leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s not about projecting an image of perfection. True leadership, the kind that inspires trust, earns respect, and builds strong teams, is rooted in accountability. The best leaders don’t wait for someone else…