The two elements of leadership
September 16, 2016
By Leon Lott
Sheriff of Richland County
[The following commentary on leadership is based on an interview with Sheriff Lott, Sept. 7, 2016.]
As I see it, leadership has two key elements – listening and example.
The first is ‘listening’ to your subordinates. In my department, everybody has a voice. And I listen to those voices. As a leader, I cannot afford to isolate myself. Subordinates articulate the needs and ideas that further enable the leader. So you have to listen to – and truly care about – what your people say. This is key.
The second key element of leadership is leading by ‘example.’ That sounds great, but how many leaders take it to heart? Some leaders say they don’t expect their people to do anything they wouldn’t do. But for me, I don’t expect my people to do anything that I myself either have not done or won’t do right now.
Being a law enforcement leader – whether sheriff, chief, or agency head – should never mean you stop being a cop. For example I have my weapon, my badge, my radio is here in my office and in my car. If I hear something, I’m responding to it. That means I’m going to chase suspects just like my deputies will. I’m going to kick-in doors with them. I am going to do anything they are responsibly tasked with.
Now, like any leader, I also have my administrative work. And it has to be done. To neglect administration and logistics would be irresponsible. But you don’t cloister yourself in admin work. You don’t isolate yourself to the point that the men and women under you don’t fully know who you are. My people have to know me, and they need to know I’m still a cop. They also need to know I care about them and that their voices and what they’re dealing with matter to me.
If your subordinate law-enforcement officers ever lose the respect they once had for you as a cop, they won’t follow you. You have to lead from the front. As a law enforcement leader, you have to be willing to take a bullet just like the risk your deputies and police officers are assuming.
Visit the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. at http://www.rcsd.net.
