One of the activities we do during the Excellence in Training Course is a self reflection exercise based on three questions out of Joe Ehrmann’s book InsideOut Coaching. Two of those questions are:
- Why do you coach? (Why are you a trainer?)
- Why do you coach (train) the way you do?
These are important questions for all trainers to reflect on at various times during your career. What becomes apparent during the discussions is the answers to those questions may change throughout the course of your training career.
In answer to question #1, I became a trailer because I was not happy with some of the training in my agency. I felt we could, and should, be doing a better job in some areas. I then had a decision to make. I could be:
a) one of those people who complains about what is going on, but does nothing to change it, or
b) someone who was going to put my money where my mouth was and do something to make things better.
I chose b).
As to why I coach the way I do that is a multi layered answer. I did not like the way I was treated by some coaches and trainers over the years and I wanted something better for the people I trained. I was inspired by some great trainers I have experienced over the years and wanted to emulate them. I have been influenced by much of the reading and research I have done over the years. I made a lot of mistakes, and learned from most of them. I was fortunate to spend 8 1/2 years as the sergeant in charge of a training unit where I was surrounded by people who loved to train, love to learn, were committed to excellence and wanted to always get better and were not afraid to challenge me to help me be a better trainer and leader.
The last number of years I have been asked another “Why” question. Why don’t you take your message to the private sector where you can charge higher fees and make more money? I have thought about it at times. Training budgets are always an issue in law enforcement. What is considered to be a “high fee” in law enforcement is at the low end of the scale in the private sector. The reality for me however, is that law enforcement is where my heart is and where my passion is. There are so many great men and women in the law enforcement profession who have dedicated themselves to serving their communities, and are willing to put their lives at risk to do so. I believe those men and women want to be great at what they do. The men and women of law enforcement deserve great training and it is my mission to do what I can to help to continually raise the bar in law enforcement training. My mission through Excellence in Training is to help good trainers become great trainers and help great trainers to deliver awesome training. The men and women of law enforcement deserve nothing less.
What about you? What is your why? Why are you a trainer? What do deliver training the way you do? Why do you stay?
Take care and always remember Life’s Most Powerful Question – What’s Important Now?
Brian Willis
Winning Mind Training – Dedicated to helping the men and women of law enforcement Embrace the Suck, focus on What’s Important Now and Dare to Be Great.
Interested in hosting an Excellence in Training Presentation, Seminar or Course? Please contact to me at winningmind@mac.com and we can work together to determine what will best suit your needs. Make sure you ask about the Seminar / Mentor package.
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