How Police Chiefs & Command Staffs Can Become More Persuasive By Using The Best Practices of Charismatic Leaders

Edward Brown, M.S.

Police chiefs and command staffs are constantly called on to fulfill the needs of departmental personnel, politicians, and the public. When dealing with diverse and competing interests, it is necessary for law enforcement leaders to be premier influencers and persuaders. By emulating the traits and best practices of charismatic leaders, law enforcement heads can begin building better relationships with their constituents and stakeholders, which lead to greater trust and economic development.  Charismatic leaders to persuade others use the following techniques:

• Charismatic leaders seek to fulfill hidden as well as expressed needs of others. Charismatic leaders are versed in human nature and believe any requests for action by followers must be tied to the followers’ self-interest.  Charismatic leaders ask questions to determine these needs by tapping into the emotional as well as mental dynamics of individuals. Open-ended questions such as “That’s interesting, what is the greatest challenge you regularly experience within your community?” help charismatic leaders determine a person’s motivation.  By empathizing and sharing experiences that relate to the individual, charismatic leaders create initiatives that recruit people who have a stake in the mission.
• Charismatic leaders speak with passion and specificity.  Contrary to popular beliefs about charismatic leaders, they are not “pie in the sky” visionaries who spout impractical and lofty ideas. Charismatic leaders are adept at spotting opportunities and speaking directly about the benefits surrounding a mission. The passion by charismatic leaders stem from their willingness to “own” or personalize initiatives. The personalization of a mission takes on a crusade-like zeal that becomes infectious to potential supporters.  In addition, charismatic leaders create a systematic plan that inspires followers to embrace the feasibility of a mission.
• Charismatic leaders are relentless.  Because of the leader’s personalization of a mission, charismatic leaders judge themselves by their performance. For charismatic leaders, achieving a goal is not merely about meeting an objective, but a self-defining opportunity to prove their worth. As a result, followers are inspired by these leaders’ commitment.

To emulate the leadership qualities of charismatic leaders, it is essential to determine the core needs of others, adopt and personalize a mission, and execute activities until the mission is complete. By demonstrating and implementing these traits, law enforcement leaders will not only find their passion for projects, but self-interested individuals will follow them based on a compelling idea.

For more information or to learn how to speak more persuasively, visit: http://policerecruitmentandselection.core-edge.com/events