They Are All the Same Question
What is your leadership style?
How would you handle low morale in your squad?
Tell us about a time you had to correct an employee.
How would you motivate an officer who is struggling?
These are effectively the same question. At least when it comes to developing your answers, they are. Every one of these questions is asking whether you understand what it means to lead people.
This is why I teach clients to reflect on what leadership means to them and from that experience, identify the themes. For example:
Accountability - Mentorship - Goal setting
Three themes that have real meaning for you and that you can speak to without having to think about it. Whichever question arrives, you draw from your three themes and use them to describe how you will support your team.
"I will establish my expectations." — Accountability
"I will work with my officers to ensure they understand their role." — Mentorship
"I will ensure that my officers have a plan for their career." — Goal Setting
The questions will vary. Your themes will not.
This comes from my book, "The Strategic Promotional Guide for Law Enforcement." If you find this useful, there’s a lot more inside.
This piece first ran in The Edge, my newsletter for law enforcement professionals. Subscribers get it first.
It goes out every two weeks and covers promotion strategy, career performance, and leadership. New subscribers also receive The Oral Board Edge, my guide to winning your next promotional oral board.
