Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In light of our recent commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Day, who will always be endeared to me due to his famous quote about character:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

I have asked a colleague of mine from the fire service, Al Mozingo, to provide a guest post on leadership. Enjoy…

Sheriff Ray

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The principles of leadership can be taught to a student of leadership in many different formats.  One can study the characteristics of great leaders or study their behavior and actions.   To take a class, read a book, attend a seminar, or read an article about the subject matter are other methods of gaining knowledge and insight into leadership principles.

In this article, I will describe leadership principles in a different way by presenting a story to show pragmatically the lessons of the principles of leadership.  Putting the principles into practical use, by one’s own action, is where the “tire meets the road.”  This little story was in a book entitled, Virtues of Leadership, by William J. Bennett.

The Story

In January 1956, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., left his home to attend a meeting at a nearby church.  During the meeting someone came into the church with news for King; “Your home has been bombed.”  Rev. King, upset and anxious because his wife and baby were in the house at the time of the bombing, rushed home to find a large number of people in the house.  The bomb had actually exploded on his front porch raining glass into the living room.  After checking on his wife and daughter he turned his attention to the angry crowd.

People who gathered outside of the house wanted revenge against whoever had done this terrible act.  Some of them were actually carrying guns and shouting at the police.  The situation was about to turn to chaos and become violent.  He told the crowd in a calm voice that his wife and child were fine.

Silence had fallen over the crowd as he began to speak to them.  He indicated to the crowd that violence was not the answer.   He explained that violence would harm their cause, it would not solve their problems.  As of matter of fact, it would make it worse.  He indicated that the Bible teaches, “We must meet hate with love.”  He told them to put down their weapons and to go home.

The crowd’s demeanor started to change.  People became calm and some said “Amen” and others said “God Bless You.”  At a moment of chaos and anger, Rev. King seized the moment to show true leadership.  The crowd responded to this and started to drift apart and go home.  As events unfolded, photographs were taken and the next morning newspapers across the country ran the photos on the front page.  The Civil Rights Movement began to swell; this was a turning point in history!  Under pressure a great man put personal virtues into action in the form of true leadership.

Leadership Virtues

Rev. King’s virtues included courage, wisdom, and faith.  He had a certain vision and the talent to progress that vision forward with leadership.  His virtues also included compassion, perseverance, and faith.  We all should strive to have these virtues, character and traits as our own.  These virtues will allow us to operate with a calm clear mind when under pressure.  They will assist in guiding us in areas of moral and ethical situations.  One of the great principles of leadership is one’s own character.

Reference:

William J. Bennett, The Book of Virtues, W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson, In., Nashville, Tennessee, 2001

About the Author

Al Mozingo

Al Mozingo

Al Mozingo is a nationally recognized leadership instructor and a 30-year veteran of the Fire Service.  Mr. Mozingo teaches for the National Fire Academy, State Fire Training, and Local Fire Academy.  He has a wide range of programs available.  You can contact him to present a leadership program at your location today: www.firemanager.com  or  (619) 447-2828


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Sheriff Ray Nash

Sheriff Ray Nash

What Law Enforcement and Community Leaders Are Saying About Police Dynamics

“A few years ago, we brought the Police Dynamics program to the Cincinnati Police Division and were most impressed with the quality of the training and richness of the program.”
Mike Daly
Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

"I have attended training conducted by the Police Dynamics Institute in the past and know Ray Nash both personally and professionally. They have my whole-hearted endorsement…"
Sheriff Larry Williams
Orangeburg, SC

"I cannot tell you how excited I am to see this website. I was introduced to your video on the Dynamics of Authority through my father who is a police chaplain for the FBI and local law enforcement agencies here in Las Cruces. I have taught and applied the Dynamics model to my students when I was a teacher, and now to my department as a fire fighter."
Nathan Carr
Las Cruces Fire Dept.

“One of the greatest seminars I have ever attended in the 33 years I’ve been a Deputy.”
Walter Bolinger
Sergeant
Marion County Sheriff’s Office, IN

"I was so impressed by the (Police Dynamics) program that I purchased your video tape series. All Grand County Sheriff’s Employees subsequently viewed the tapes, and I have also mandated that all new Sheriff’s Employees watch it as well."
Glen Trainor
Undersheriff
Grand County Sheriff’s Office

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DeWayne Beggs
Sheriff
Cleveland County, OK
former 2nd VP - National Sheriff's Association

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Jerry Martin
Sheriff
Delores County, CO
former Pres - County Sheriff's of Colorado

"Honestly, I’ve not been more impressed with a police training that I’ve attended in the last 20 years..."
Tom McClain
Chief of Police
Willard, MO

"I am a firm believer that Police Dynamics and Character First! equip the men and women that work for the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office to do their job and do it better."
John Whetsel
Sheriff
Oklahoma County, OK

"If you believe that good character is an essential element in policing, you will want to send your key staff to Police Dynamics."
David Williams
Sheriff
Tarrant County, TX

"In the three years prior to our character initiative, we had 42 labor and employee grievances, and seven different lawsuits. In the three years since we put the character initiative in place, we have had two grievances and no lawsuits from employees. I think that, in and of itself, is significant."
Rodney Ray
City Manager
Owasso, OK

"This course was one of the best training sessions that I’ve been through. This concept will benefit me and the staff in my division."
Police Dynamics participant

[We have] more awareness of the preventative benefits of a character initiative as opposed to the typical reactive approach to situations. There is a sense of excitement by organization leaders as they begin to see a change in their culture. Bob Powell
Character Council
Fort Collins, CO

"[The Police Dynamics training] brings us closer together, more like a family … it reminds us of why we’re out there and what it’s about.”
Captain John Decker
Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, SC

"This class gave me the vocabulary that I have been looking for to praise and motivate my employees."
Police Dynamics participant

"We’ve built a much better relationship with each other. We’ve seen a decrease in complaints. We’ve become a family instead of a place to work."
Sheriff Howie Godwin
Highlands County, FL

“This shows us a new approach to recognize employees’ character traits - and to acknowledge them for those good traits versus, 'You did an excellent job…' It’s some fresh ideas in an area that we probably all need to change."
Major P.D. Taylor
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office

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Sgt. Julie Shearer
Cincinnati Police Div.

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Chaplain Carl Nelson
Colorado Springs Police Department

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Hon. F.A. Schad
Former Judge
Burleson, TX

“I want you to know that my international and national career was very much influenced by your lessons and knowing you was of paramount importance for my job and career. Many Romanian police officers are grateful to you and to Character training."
Teofil Parasca
Assistant Superintendent
Arad County Police
Romania

"I would like to work more toward management by principles instead of rules – with an emphasis on character and guiding principles."
Chief Lynn Williams
Chickasha, OK

“We need to return to our basic character traits that made this country great. Ray Nash has the program to do it."
Police Dynamics participant

"This shows us a new approach to recognize those employees’ character traits and to recognize and acknowledge them for those good traits versus, “You did an excellent job…” It’s some fresh ideas in an area that we probably all need to change."
Major P.D. Taylor
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office

"In the three years prior to our character initiative, we had 42 labor and employee grievances, and seven different lawsuits. In the three years since we put the character initiative in place, we have had two grievances and no lawsuits from employees. I think that, in and of itself, is significant."
Rodney Ray
City Manager
Owasso, OK

"Absolutely fantastic! It reminded me of why I wanted to be a peace officer."
Police Dynamics participant

"the finest value-added training anywhere."
Sheriff David Williams
Tarrant County, TX

"We continue to benefit from your teaching and hire with a strong emphasis on character."
Chief Tom McClain
Willard, MO

"Once again, I feel absolutely indebted to you for the program you have developed and your desire to change the world through the building of better law enforcement officers."
Glen P. Trainor
Undersheriff
Grand County, CO

"Sheriff Ray Nash is an internationally recognized speaker that you and your staff will learn powerful principles from, while enjoying the lesson."
DeWayne Beggs
Sheriff
Cleveland County, OK

"Very comprehensive, a great resource manual for the future. The seminar was dynamic in every way. What a great resource for people throughout their day-to-day routines.”
Doug Carter
Trooper
Indiana State Police