As a trainer you are going to be asked the question, “What would you do in that situation?” The person is usually asking because they want to know what “the right answer” is. You are the trainer so what you would do must be the right answer.
The easy thing to do is answer the question. It feels good to be asked what you think and it is a boost to our ego to answer the question. It feels good because it validates that you are the subject matter expert and all your training, study and experience has paid off. It feels good to have someone else look to you as the source for “the right answer”. It feels good but, it is a less desirable response as a trainer.
Answering their question is less desirable for a number of reasons. Here are three:
- There are usually multiple “right answers”.
- Giving them the answer is failing to teach them to think and make decisions for themselves.
- Giving them the answer misses an opportunity for them to practice the art of articulation.
Your mission is to help the officers in your class enhance their competence and confidence and to prepare them for the realities of the job. One of those realities is they need to make decisions and then have the ability to articulate why their decision was reasonable given the totality of circumstances. Giving them the answer is the easy thing to do, but in doing so you are missing a teaching opportunity for you and more importantly a learning opportunity for them.
In order to create the best learning experience for your officers you have to turn the question back on them. Ask them a series of questions to help guide them to the discovery of the answer for themselves. That process will teach them to:
- Consider all the impact factors.
- Review their legal authorities.
- Assess their tactical options.
- Make a decision.
- Articulate the totality of circumstances and explain their choices.
So, next time an officer in your class asks you what you would have done, politely decline to answer and then start asking them great questions.
Take care.
Brian Willis
Winning Mind Training – Inspiring excellence in law enforcement training.
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