Who's In Charge? The Surprising Effects of Leadership Styles in Law Enforcement

Jul 11

In studio today are Michael McIntosh, Terrance O’Neill, and Matt Phillips.

One of the biggest challenges in law enforcement leadership is the constant balance between immediate action and thoughtful discussion. Sometimes, there's no room for debate - only swift action can be taken.

But this kind of instant response scenario doesn’t make up most of a law enforcement leader's time. Leadership is usually about building your team and creating relationships based on trust and respect.

Building Trust: The Key to Successful Leadership

A leader's role transcends simply giving orders; it involves recognizing each team member's unique strengths and fostering them for collective success. Emphasizing our desire for every team member to excel in their career, we lay a solid foundation of trust and respect that binds the team together.

But leadership is not without its challenges. In this episode, we address the pitfalls of rigid, rank-based leadership and the potential damage it can inflict. We underline the necessity for transparency and adaptability in a world where officers have historically followed orders blindly.

Leading by Example: The Power of Self-Assessment

Transitioning into the concept of 'leading by example' and the power of self-assessment, we underscore the idea that leaders should bear the same burdens we ask our team to shoulder. Showing them we're ready to work side by side instills respect and loyalty. This is closely tied to the importance of self-awareness—understanding our strengths, acknowledging our weaknesses, and perpetually aiming for improvement.

An integral part of self-improvement lies in feedback. We encourage leaders to actively seek it, utilizing it as a tool to foster trust within the team and spur personal growth. We delve into our experiences and the valuable lessons we learned from honest, constructive feedback.

Our conversation then moves to the importance of learning from various leadership styles and mentors. This helps craft an effective, personalized leadership approach that can evolve as we move through the ranks.

As leaders, it's crucial to be mindful of the risk of over-reliance on specific individuals and to distribute opportunities equitably. Leadership is not about burdening a single individual but nurturing a team where any member can confidently take up responsibilities as required.

Leadership Styles: The Power of Adaptability

The notion of 'situational leadership' is introduced, stressing the need for adaptable leadership to meet the team's evolving dynamics and various situations.

As we conclude, we reflect on the moral underpinnings of leadership. A successful leader makes sound decisions and upholds strong ethical values, earning respect and trust.

Tune in as we delve deep into these themes, offering a well-rounded perspective on law enforcement leadership that's valuable to experienced leaders and those rising through the ranks.

Additional Resources: Leadership Styles

Here is a brief narrative on differing leadership styles:

Transformational Leadership:

Transformational leaders are inspiring and charismatic individuals who lead by example. They're known for their ability to create a vision of the future, communicate that vision, and motivate their followers to achieve it. As a leadership style, transformational leaders have a high emotional intelligence and often help their followers grow, learn, and develop their own leadership potential. Examples of transformational leaders include Martin Luther King Jr., who inspired millions during the civil rights movement, and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who revolutionized the tech industry.

Transactional Leadership:

Transactional leaders operate on the basis of exchanges or transactions. They reward or punish their followers based on their performance. This leadership style can effectively maintain consistency and predictability within an organization but may lack the inspiration and innovation that transformational leadership can provide. A well-known transactional leader in history was Vince Lombardi, the head coach of the Green Bay Packers in the 1960s, who was known for his rigid rules and systems.

Servant Leadership:

Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their team and the people they serve over their own. They focus on personal growth, employee satisfaction, and team cohesion, believing this will ultimately lead to greater success. Nelson Mandela embodied the principles of servant leadership, leading by example and serving his nation with humility and resilience.

Autocratic Leadership:

Autocratic leaders make decisions without input from their team members. While this style can be efficient in situations requiring fast decisions and clear direction, it can also lead to low morale and high turnover if the leader doesn't consider the needs and opinions of their team. A historical example of an autocratic leader is Napoleon Bonaparte, who made all military and governmental decisions himself.

Democratic Leadership:

Democratic leaders encourage participation and consensus among their team members. They value each member's input and strive to make decisions that reflect the group's interests. While decision-making can be slower due to the desire for consensus, this approach can lead to higher satisfaction and better solutions. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is often cited as having a democratic leadership style due to his efforts to involve the American public and other branches of government in decision-making during the Great Depression and World War II.

Laissez-Faire Leadership:

Laissez-faire leaders take a hands-off approach, allowing their team members to make their own decisions. This can foster innovation and creativity but can also lead to a lack of direction if not properly managed. This leadership style can be effective when team members are highly skilled, motivated, and capable of working independently. Warren Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is often cited as a laissez-faire leader due to his policy of buying companies and leaving their executives in charge with minimal interference.

Charismatic Leadership

Charismatic leaders inspire and motivate their followers through their charisma and persuasive skills. They tend to be confident, articulate, and emotionally expressive. While charismatic leaders can inspire high levels of enthusiasm and dedication, there's a risk that followers may become overly reliant on the leader. John F. Kennedy, with his inspiring speeches and charismatic personality, is often regarded as a charismatic leader.

No single leadership style is the best. The most effective leaders are those who can adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of their team and the situation at hand.

Be sure to grab your free guide: 10 Questions to Consider Before Putting In For Your Next Promotion.

LE Leaders Team