When we think of leadership, the thoughts of hierarchal structures such as the military chain of command, or perhaps a sports team with an authoritative coach at the helm, but leadership is influence. According to famed leadership expert John Maxwell—leadership is defined as: “Influence, nothing more, nothing less.” We all possess some level of influence that we infuse into our work cultures, communities, and in our professional and personal relationships daily. Influence in leadership is a very powerful tool, which can be used to impact the world around us for good or bad. The choice is up to us. Hence, giving rise to questions, such as, how are we leading in our sphere of influence? How are we showing up? How are we positively impacting the culture? Most importantly, how do we do it and how do we get there?

Our ability to apply influence in leadership comes through the beauty of human connections. It is the foundation of our humanity, connected to the commonality of moral spirit for the purpose of a single mission that allows us to see the world outwardly. In other words, it begins with mutual respect; one engagement and one encounter at a time. These encounters transcend cultural, political, generational, and gender divides. As it relates to jails and corrections, it is meeting each other where we are. The virtue of respect is the idea of re- (do again) and Spect, or spectacle (to see), according to the philosophy of Blue Courage, it means to see again. We all have different backgrounds, upbringings, and experiences that make us human. Hence, we work in a human occupation and there is no better place to practice the great virtue of respect, by fostering relationships towards those with whom we serve.

Leading Through Service

Service is the idea of giving, giving of our time, talents, and experiences toward those who may not have the ability or even the capacity to give us anything in return. For example, a recruit from the academy enters our ranks, who has very limited life experiences, is thrusted into the stark reality of managing and caring for people (incarcerated individuals) inside of a jail. They appear to have a positive attitude and a desire to learn. There is no doubt that if they are left disengaged and unsupported, they will become discouraged and walk away from what may otherwise be a fruitful career. However, if the senior, more experienced deputy or officer takes the time to treat that recruit as an equal, through mutual respect by sharing their knowledge with them, that becomes an investment in the future career of the individual, but also an investment in the posterity of the agency. This type of deliberate practice of virtuous service builds the bonds of human connection. Respect is a fundamental human quality essential for trust and connection. This is not about official training programs, mentoring programs, or vertical leadership (top down) per se. It is leading from where you are without rank or position. There is a wonderful quote by Brian Tracy, which captures this powerful principle, “Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily, even if you had no title or position.” This can only come about, if we respect those around us and treat them as partners, who are equally suited to accomplish the mission of care, protection of rights, custody, and control of the jail environment, while doing so with dignity and respect. The deliberate practice of mutual respect amplifies personal value, raises self-esteem, enhances social belonging (fraternal brotherhood and sisterhood), and builds deeper relationships (human connections), which bode well for a culture of congruency and an expectation for excellence. This is of particular importance in jails where there is often low trust, high risk, high liability, and violence. Furthermore, the human connections among our ranks, which include our civilian partners, enhance our ability to be human and practice authentic responsiveness to our most vulnerable populations in the jail environment (mental health and addiction). In the book Nobody’s Coming to Save Us, by Lt. Col. Scott Mann (Ret. Green Beret), he exhorts that making a human connection and gaining initial rapport is essential before commencing with our agenda. It allows us to see what illuminates an individual through shared interest, mutual respect, and the difficult reality of what makes us human.