• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Great leaders use a broom

You will never accomplish great things if you do not lead in the small things

April 15, 2022
Travis YatesbyTravis Yates
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

We often think of great leadership as doing the big things and frankly, that is simply not true. Sure, we may see leaders such as General Patton, Abraham Lincoln or Dr. Martin Luther King and hold their tremendous accomplishments up as what a leader should be but we are missing a huge component in that thinking.

Long before those men became household names attributed to great leaders, they were still great leaders doing the things you’ve never heard of.

Not every leader will be given an opportunity to accomplish great things but every leader can prepare to accomplish great things by doing the little things. Unfortunately, I see way too many leaders sitting on the sidelines waiting for their “big” moment while all the smaller, more important moments are passing them by.

You will never accomplish great things if you do not lead in the small things.

You’ve probably heard of the founder of McDonalds, Ray Kroc. But did you know that he picked up trash nearly every night he was at work?

Coach John Wooden is arguably the greatest basketball coach of all time. Long after he had won ten titles including three national championships and in the Hall of Fame, Wooden was often seen cleaning the locker room.

It’s not an anomaly that great leaders are also great at what some would consider meager tasks. In fact, it’s a pattern in every great leader.

That is why I noticed “Freddy” this week at a local retail store. The first thing I noticed was his boots and his appearance. He was no doubt a man that took pride in himself and understood that leadership is first seen in a myriad of ways. After watching him. for a few minutes, Freddy picked up a broom and started sweeping away.

To understand the importance of what Freddy was doing in regard to leadership, you have to understand this. Wearing fancy boots was not a requirement and sweeping a floor that seemed pretty clean to begin with was not in his job description.

This is not only the foundation of leadership but it is the requirement of every great leader.

After observing Freddy and kindly asking him for a picture and of course finding out what kind of boots he had (Ariat), I asked his fellow employees about him. As you would guess, they would do anything for Freddy. They loved his work ethic, they loved his attitude and they just generally loved him.

They would all follow Freddy…….Welcome to leadership.

Leadership is about humility. It is about only asking of others what you will do yourself. It’s showing others that you are not any better than anyone and that standards and greatness matters.

Greatness is never accomplished by a single leader but rather many followers that have had an environment nurtured by humble leaders and often times, that starts with sweeping the floor.


Travis Yates is the author of “The Courageous Police Leader.” His training events along with additional resources can be located at: www.travisyates.org. 


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: broomscourageous leadershiphumilityleaderLeadershippolice
Travis Yates

Travis Yates

Travis Yates has there decades of law enforcement experience and currently holds the rank of Major. One of the most prolific trainers and writers in the profession, he has trained and consulted with thousands of law enforcement professionals across the globe and has authored hundreds of articles for various publications. He is a past recipient of the ILEETA Police Trainer of the Year and the director of training with Law Officer (www.lawofficeracademy.com) and SAFETAC (www.safetac.org). Travis is a leading expert in leadership and risk management and is building a movement to bring Courageous Leadership back to law enforcement (www.stopcowards.com). Travis is a graduate of the 227th Session of the FBI National Academy and is a doctoral student in Strategic Leadership. He is the author of the best selling book, “The Courageous Police Leader: A Survival Guide for Combating Cowards, Chaos & Lies“

Related Posts

Source: Save Bobbi's Cubs/Facebook

Police officer on leave after allegedly killing beloved black mama bear Bobbi

May 20, 2022
occupy city hall

Some Inconvenient Truths for Police Officers

May 20, 2022

The myths of police recruiting

May 17, 2022
fire captain busted

Indicting Cops For Upholding the Law

May 16, 2022

Weak Police Leadership is a Big Part of the Problem

May 12, 2022
Toshira Garraway, pictured above, spoke with Liz Collin over the phone about the case. (Alpha News)

Prominent activist has been falsely accusing police of killing fiancé for years

May 11, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

Megabus

Maryland Megabus rolls over injuring dozens of passengers

May 22, 2022
Dale Spidle

3 dead in wake of naked man’s ‘trail of tragedy’

May 22, 2022
Stephanie Russell

Pediatrician tries to hire hitman to have ex-husband murdered

May 22, 2022
YouTube

What law enforcement leaders can learn from Aggie Coach Jimbo Fisher

May 20, 2022

Tulsa police crime scene supervisor will stand trial after allegedly covering up shooting scene

May 20, 2022

Kentucky Fried Chicken workers save kidnap victim that passed them a note

May 20, 2022
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

MUST READ

Source: Save Bobbi's Cubs/Facebook

Police officer on leave after allegedly killing beloved black mama bear Bobbi

May 20, 2022
Kim Gardner

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner reportedly neglecting more than 4,400 solved cases

May 20, 2022
Jaleel Stallings

Man who shot at police during riots awarded $1.5 million

May 19, 2022
Steven Eric DiSario

Father of fallen officer told to remove Thin Blue Line flag during National Police Week

May 19, 2022
Beverly Hills motor officer

Beverly Hills motor officer drops bike to capture fleeing suspect

May 19, 2022
Load More

JOIN THE FIGHT

SAFEGUARD RECRUITING

Police Officers Needed – Entry level and lateral applicants wanted!

February 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff

February 3, 2022

Dispatcher

January 25, 2022

Deputy Sheriff (POST Certified)

January 25, 2022

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com