I did a mini Wingman Workout for the department heads of a municipality last week. They had heard how it was helping different businesses increase teamwork, sales and profits. They brought me in to see if my brand of positivity could help improve safety, lower insurance claims and increase productivity.
As I left, after finishing my presentation, you can imagine my surprise in finding the Chief of Police waiting for me outside (without a warrant, thankfully). Turns out, he liked what I had to say.
He explained that when he was a member of a SWAT team they would always do positive self-talk immediately before taking action.
“I can do this.”
“I know how to handle a gun.”
“I am calm.”
“I’m the best man for this job.”
“I’m part of a great team.”
Etc., etc…
Our conversation was brief as he had to go back into the meeting.
However, as he did, he asked,
“Do you know how much one wrong shooting costs our taxpayers?”
I didn’t. I do now.
Turns out that cost can get well into the millions.
There’s even something called “Suicide by Cop”, which is a method in which a suicidal individual deliberately acts in a threatening way, provoking a lethal response from a police officer.
Can you imagine the ‘cool’ these officers have to maintain?
If they can, we can too. We just need a little practice.
So whether you’re a police officer facing a life or death situation, a businessman trying to grow your business, or a parent dealing with a teenager, a little positive self talk, or what I call my ‘Wingman Workout” can be a big help. One practice I’ve found that works well in that situation is to just say to myself for one minute,
“When I’m calm I make good decisions, when I’m calm I make good decisions”.
It’s easy. Try it for one minute and see how it feels.
Here’s to good decisions made calmly,
Michael
