Take out a piece of paper (or get out your smart phone or tablet) and write down the names of the 3 to 5 people you have the most respect for; people who are or were positive influences in your life. How many people on that list do you fear? How many of the people whose advice, direction, and coaching you value most are you afraid of?
Think of the great teachers you have had in your life. The ones who challenged you, encouraged you and helped you to develop competence and confidence. The teachers who helped you to learn and to grow. How many of them did you fear?
Think of the great leaders and bosses you have known in your life. The ones who held you to high standards, challenged you to be your best, acknowledged your successes and brought out the best out of you. The ones you were fiercely loyal to because of their leadership abilities. How many of those great bosses and leaders did you fear?
If you are like most people the answer to the above questions about fear is none. You did not, and do not fear any of those people. You respect the great mentors, leaders, coaches and teachers, but you do not fear them. You learned from them, but you did not fear them. The great bosses and leaders do not lead through fear. There may have been a time in your life where you were intimidated by their knowledge, their skills, their experience, their expertise or their status, but you did not fear them. You respected them.
Why then do trainers believe it is important for recruits to fear them? Why is being feared as an instructor somehow a status symbol with some trainers? How is it cool in any way to be feared by the people you have been given the honour and privilege of training? How is their being afraid of you going to enhance their ability to learn? How is their being afraid of you going to allow them to perform at their best?
As a trainer you are in a position of power and influence. That power comes with responsibility and accountability. Your mission is to get the best out of the people you train. In order to accomplish that they should respect you and learn from you, not fear you.
Take care.
Brian Willis
Inspiring law enforcement professionals to – Think differently about training and leadership by applying Life’s Most Powerful Question – What’s Important Now?
At Winning Mind Training we are driven by our dedication to inspiring the pursuit of personal excellence and our belief that every law enforcement officer deserves to experience awesome training.
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