What have you read that I should read?

It is January 1, 2019. The start of a new year. A time when many start planning for the upcoming 12 months. I am not big of New Year’s resolutions, which too often get forgotten by the end of the month, or sooner. I am however, always interested in opportunities for growth, development and learning. As a result I have five questions for you. E-mail me the answers to winningmind@mac.com and I will compile and share the the information with everyone in a few weeks.

1. What have you read in the past year that we should read and why?
2. What courses, seminars or workshops did you attend last year that we should attend and why?
3. What conferences did you attend last year that we should consider attending and why?
4. What is on your Books to Read list for 2019?
5. What is on your courses and conferences to attend in 2019 list.

Here are my answers to the five questions:

1. Gen Z @Work is written by a father and son team. The father is a Gen Xer who has written and taught on generational conflicts between Gen X and Baby Boomers. His son is a Gen Z and gives a voice to their generation. If you do not have Gen Z in your agency now, you will in the next 12 to 24 months. They are not Gen Y on steroids, they are very different.  Increasing Resilience in Police and Emergency Personnel addresses the critical skill of resilience, which can be learned and developed, from the perspective of frontline personnel, family members, dispatchers and leaders. Small Teaching provides examples on how one professor took the research on learning and began to apply it in small ways. Chasing Excellence is written by a very successful Crossfit coach. One of the key themes throughout the book, regardless of your endeavours, is the importance of focusing on effort and process. The Oxygen Advantage is about the immense health and performance benefits of breathing properly. The Dichotomy of Leadership and Lead Yourself First are both important leadership books. Trainers are some of the most influential leaders in any organization and as a result you need to be a student of leadership.
2. The Force Science Institute Realistic De-escalation course. I really like the comprehensive and realistic approach FSI takes to this topic and the understanding De-Escalation is not just words. There are some very practical isights and tips in this program and FSI is continuing to enhance the course.
3. The annual ILEETA conference is a must for law enforcement trainers. The breadth, depth and quality of the presentations along with the connections and discussions with fellow trainers all committed to the pursuit of excellence is inspiring. NTOA is always a great conference as well. Even if you are not a tactical officer or tactical team trainer there are a lot of great presentations and incident debriefs that offer great value for trainers. The opening keynote at NTOA is usually worth the price of admission.
4. Leaders: Myth and Reality, The Playmaker’s Advantage, Unarmed and Dangerous, Never Stop Learning, Making Learning Magical, The Artist’s Journey, The Influential Mind, Teach Yourself How to Learn and Teach Students How to Learn are among the growing volume of books I have loaded on my iPad to read in 2019. I once read that the value of being surrounded by unread books is that it serves as a constant reminder of how much we still have to learn.
5. I am excited by the great lineup of presenters and presentations at ILEETA 2019.  I am registered for the Video Examinations for the Police Investigator Course taught by Forensic Video Solutions. I will be attending the TTPOA and the NTOA conferences again in 2019. If I can match up schedules I would like to attend Jonathan Hak’s three day Courtroom Testimony for Expert Witnesses course. I am not doing any expert witness work but after interviewing Jonathan for the Excellence in Training Academy and talking to people who have attended the course it sounds like an excellent investment. Any new course, workshop or conference taught by the Force Science Institute will be on my list.

So, what about you? What would you like to recommend to fellow trainers. 

Take care. 

Brian Willis 

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