Today my 11 year old daughter and I were driving and we noticed 2 police cars hiding behind a sign, clocking speeders on their radar guns. I asked my daughter, “Why do they hide behind signs to catch people speeding versus being out in the open reminding people that they should adhere to the speed limit?” My daughters response was simple and surprising, “Power” she responded. Then she went on about what she had learned about how police used to behave – when they were the neighbor next door. More like Andy Griffith in Mayberry. They were out helping in the community, not trying to catch people unaware.

I then described to her that when her mother and I were on the MS150 Bike ride this year we had police stopping traffic giving us encouragement along the way. Is it simply the situation of what the police are doing or is there a change? Do they show up how they need to or are they using power to feel better about themselves and what they do? Have they been put at risk so much that they fear each situation and come in too strong, or is it about their internal image of themselves?

How is your role in leadership effected by the situation and by your past experience? Do you think that is an effective way to lead?