Do you think of yourself as a Subject Matter Expert, or a Subject Matter Resource?  One definition of an Expert that, I believe may be problematic for trainers is: One with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject. The word that concerns me in that definition is “Mastery”. I believe mastery is a journey, and not an end state. When you start to think of yourself as a Master, it can be easy to stop doing the work that got you to that level and as a result stop learning and growing.  One definition of Resource is: a source of supply, … [Read more...]

I had a conversation with a law enforcement professional a couple of months ago who was looking for some insights on getting into a career as a speaker and trainer.  I expressed that personally I think the first key is content. You need to develop quality content that will help people overcome challenges and obstacles, reframe negative experiences, improve their wellness, grow and develop skills and talents or achieve their goals. Your content may address more than one of these areas. I shared two key questions from Seth Godin regarding content development: Who is it for?What is it … [Read more...]

Too many of the discussions in law enforcement circles today are still focused on frontloading training and education and then putting officers in a holding pattern for the rest of their careers.  Many of these discussions are hung up on the debate about whether or not to require applicants to have a university or college degree to get hired. Lets focus on hiring the best candidates, the ones who possess the character traits you are looking for, exemplify the values of your organization and are committed to serving their communities as a law enforcement professional. Some of them with … [Read more...]

In one of his daily blog posts Seth Godin wrote about “Hiding ideas”. Hiding ideas  Some people hesitate to share an idea because they’re worried it will be stolen. In general, these people are afraid of success, not failure. An idea unspoken is a safe one, which not only can’t be stolen, but it can’t be tested, criticized, improved or used in the real world. I have written before about the concern some trainers have of “people stealing my stuff”. “Stolen” implies that you take someone else’s material and claim it as your own without giving credit to the original source. … [Read more...]

This is an often-asked question at trainer conferences and instructor development schools. Traits that most often make the list are passion, credibility, knowledge and humility.  I am going to suggest it is Curiosity. I believe trainers are in one of the most influential leadership positions in any organization and this is why Curiosity is the same trait I wrote about last year for the Dare to Be Great leadership blog about as the most important trait for leaders.  Why Curiosity? Curiosity keeps your mind, eyes and ears open to new ideas and better ways to … [Read more...]

In the 31 years I have been involved in training law enforcement professionals I have made a lot of mistakes. Last week I wrote about my greatest regret as a trainer. I also did some smart things as a trainer and this week I wanted to share 5 of the smart things I have done over my training career. I become a student of the mind and the mind-body connection.  In the early years of my involvement in delivering training with the Calgary Police Service I took an interest in the mental preparation and conditioning component of a 40 hour in-service Officer Safety course we had … [Read more...]

On a recent Excellence in Training Course someone asked me what my biggest mistake as a trainer was. The question caught me off guard. Not because I think I am perfect. I have made a lot of mistakes as a trainer and actually mention at the start of the course that the Excellence in Training philosophy has partially evolved due to all the misstates I have made as a trainer. I freely admit that if you can make a mistake as a trainer, I likely have made it. It caught me off guard because i have never been asked that question before. I answered the question, but then continued to reflect on both … [Read more...]

There is a movement to criticize, punish, fire and even criminally charge an officer who fails to turn on his or her body worn camera at a call. The question for you as a trainer, and for your organization is, “Have they actually be trained to activate their camera?” If you say yes, then how were they trained and conditioned to activate it and under what circumstances? Remember, there is a difference between “having attended training” and “being trained”. When you implemented body worn cameras what training did you do to condition your officers to activate the cameras? Was it a lecture in a … [Read more...]

“In any profession we must grapple with systems, resources, circumstances, people - and our own shortcomings as well. Yet somehow we must advance, we must refine, we must improve.” Atul Gawande, MD As trainers you are constantly grappling with mandates, directives and training priorities from POST boards, governmental bodies and your agency’s executives. What is a priority for training can change quickly and too often be driven by the current political climate and whatever is the topic of the day. Yet somehow you must advance, you must refine, you must improve. You grapple with … [Read more...]

"Teachers should prepare the student for the student's future, not for the teacher's past." Richard Hamming As an Academy trainer are you preparing people for the challenges you faced “back in the day”, or for the normal of now, and the future they will likely be facing out on the street?  The world is constantly changing. Laws change, policies change, technology changes, how people use technology to communicate and conduct business changes, bosses change, people change, priorities change, knowledge changes and expectations change. The criminal element is continually learning … [Read more...]