Integrity creates the trust that cements the Team together
In my direct experience, Leadership in the police in the UK can often fairly be described as ‘Command and Control’. That is: ” Do as I say, I’m a higher rank than you”, ” Do this because this is what we do”, sometimes ” Do this because I’m ordering you to”. I am not referring to Situational Leadership, but the style and culture exhibited as a matter of course, by too many.
I was fortunate to be accredited in coaching as a Leadership style. This had a profound effect on me. My subsequent behaviours as a Leader, were regarded as ‘maverick’ by peers and colleagues. I took that as a badge of honour. I regarded my teams and departments, and referred to the people in them as ” Those I have responsibility for ” rather than ” Those I command”. Throughout my service, at different stages, I was exposed to the spectrum of Leadership; from the outrageously poor to the inspirational excellent.
In retrospect, the key features that determined my assessment of Managers and Leaders were;
✅ The extent to which they took the time and trouble to get to know me as a person
✅ Appropriate support to complete the mission
✅ Micromanagement
✅ Trust in me to determine the tactics to achieve the strategy
✅ Honesty
✅ Fairness
