WWW.NJCOPSMAGAZINE.COM ■ DECEMBER 2014
CLOSING ARGUMENTS
85
The truth about cats and dogs…
and goldfish
There are almost as many leadership training
programs available to law enforcement professionals as there are quick-fix diets on late night
infomercials. And like the diets, these programs
will allow you to achieve your goal, as long as
you follow the program. But the reality for most
law enforcement executives is that scheduling,
and committing
Glenn R. budgettraining program to a meaningful leadership
makes mastering
Skarzynski precepts of good leadership as difficult as a the
40something guy leaving the gym and having to
walk past a line of fast food restaurants: not a good recipe for
success. So for those of us who don’t have a realistic possibility of attending one of these valued programs or pursuing graduate studies in leadership, we have to do what most cops do
at some point in their career - wing it.
A generally-accepted thought in many leadership programs
is that people in general can be categorized into certain archetypes that identify strengths and weaknesses that will enable
an effective leader to create a work environment where
employees can reach their fullest potential. Although there are
certainly more scientifically supported, and less-offensive, theories, perhaps looking at the basics of human behavior can
give us a kind of cop shorthand that can identify the different
types of employees and the challenges a supervisor, particularly a first-line supervisor, has in creating that optimum work
environment.
Call me crazy (you won’t be the first), but at the very root of
it, we all are members of the animal kingdom, and we often
mirror behaviors associated with other species. For purposes
of this discussion, we are going to consider common human
behaviors as they relate to three types of animals: dogs, cats
and goldfish.
If you can remember a favorite family dog from childhood
think of how happy they were just being dogs? They instinctively knew their roles. They protected your house when you
were away and if they sensed any danger they would have gladly done anything in their power to protect you. And what do
they ask in return for this utter loyalty? A nice meal, a pat on the
head, and the occasional game of catch is all they required. In
short, all they required was an immediate and meaningful
acknowledgement of their contribution to your household.
Of course any dog that you beat is eventually going to bite
you. And though negative reinforcement can be used as a last
resort, reinforcing good behaviors pays the biggest dividends.
Following these simple guidelines provided you with a life-long
companion happy with his role in life who will stay with you to
the end. How many of you have gone on a DOA call where the
dog starved to death at his late master’s side?
The next category is the most challenging: the cat. Regardless of your personal pet preferences, you have to admit that,
at best, cats are aloof and self-centered. At worst, they are
sneaky, malevolent creatures that crave an inordinate amount
of attention and when bored will bite you before running off
and using your new running shoes as a litter box. So managing
a cat requires an inordinate amount of your time and patience
and, in many instances, your efforts will be rewarded with failure.