Having trouble letting go of your past Military or Law enforcement life?
Consider the following:
When I stepped into the role of Security Captain at SeaWorld San Diego, I brought with me a wealth of experience from previous positions.
My goal was clear: to use past wins and lessons learned from setbacks to improve our organization, streamline processes, and proactively address potential issues.
However, one of my most significant challenges came early on and served as a crucial learning point in my journey.
Shortly after I started, a sergeant and I uncovered potential timesheet fraud. With our access to the necessary software, we downloaded the video evidence and sent it to our internal investigations team.
To our surprise, our director, a man of great integrity but influenced by his undying love for his law enforcement background, reacted with intense disapproval.
He believed firmly in a strict separation between investigations and security operations, a perspective rooted in his past experiences.
This incident was baffling and disheartening.
Here we were, trying to protect the organization and uphold our responsibilities, yet our actions were met with ire instead of appreciation.
The director's response created a rift between the investigations team and the security guard force, eroding the trust and collaboration we needed to function effectively.
Reflecting on this incident over time, I came to understand the director's perspective.
His law enforcement background shaped his belief in maintaining distinct boundaries between different operational units.
However, his inability to adapt this mindset to our security environment highlighted a critical lesson for me: while it's essential to leverage past experiences, it's equally important to avoid bringing old loyalties and rigid frameworks into new contexts.
From this experience, I learned the importance of clear communication and understanding different perspectives within an organization.
I took ownership of the situation, explained our intentions, and ensured it didn't recur.
This incident underscored the necessity of fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration, where every team member feels valued and trusted.
#securitymanagement #police #military #transition
Operations Manager at Safaricom PLC
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