Mindset
In this edition of Trainer Fuel we wanted to highlight a few different perspectives on mindset. From the stoic wisdom of a Navy Seal Commander to mindfulness practices of a police officer / trainer from Massachusetts to the worlds most powerful question coined by a football coach and re-framed by a cop this post is all about mindset. For more trainer fuel on changing minds, check out “Changing Minds.”
1. How to deal with failure and bad situations. Excerpt from the Jocko Podcast.
Perhaps one of the most influential, modern rants on digging deep and driving on comes from Jocko Willink. His stoic, no nonsense, often brutally honest approach has influenced police trainers far and wide. His perspective on personal accountability and the role of a leader is used frequently in police leadership training programs. When it comes to reframing how we look at problems, no doubt Navy Seals have a thing or two to offer. It’s all about mindset.
Oh, the mission got canceled? Good… We can focus on another one.
Didn’t get the new high-speed gear we wanted? Good… We can keep it simple.
Didn’t get promoted? Good… More time to get better.
Didn’t get funded? Good… We own more of the company.
Didn’t get the job you wanted? Good… Go out, gain more experience, and build a better resume.
Got injured? Good… Needed a bread from training.
Got tapped out? Good… It’s better to tap out in training than tap out on the street.
Got beat? Good… We learned.
Unexpected problems? Good… We have to figure out a solutions
2. The Most Powerful Question – What’s Important Now?
Doug Wyllie from Police Magazine interviewed Brian Willis from ILEETA about, The Most Powerful Question. Brian is a well known and highly respected police trainer and the Deputy Executive Director of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) and Doug is a highly recognized public figure in a law enforcement reporting. In this video the two discuss the question, “What’s Important Now?” Notre Dame football Coach Lou Holtz coined the question, but it was Brian Willis who brought it into policing and now helps officers on a daily basis develop and improve their mindset. W.I.N.!
3. The Most Effective Tactic for Immediate Stress Relief
In this short video, Police Trainer and mindfulness coach, Michelle Paladini explains the concept of tactical breathing. Michelle’s work is guided and informed by a commitment to building safe and caring communities, an understanding of the unique challenges faced by law enforcement, studying the historical and traumatic roots of conflict, a promise of fair and just treatment of all people through reflection on the broader implications of oppressive isms, and a a pledge to bring out the very best in humanity. Tactical Breathing, Box Breathing, Deep Breathing, or what ever we call it has profound impact on how our minds work under stress. To change your mindset – change your breathing…
Next Steps…
Trainer Fuel provides trainers with motivation and resources to improve their training programs. At Team One Network we stand by the saying, “A Way not The Way.” There were litterally hundreds of options for what to include in this post. This was three different perspectives. What are you doing in your agency to to develop skills for improving officers’ mindsets?