Mindset, Resilience Skills that Improve Productivity for Law Enforcement
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) Director of Mental Health and Peer Support Services and Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) 2023 President’s Award Winner Jean Kanokogi provided a presentation at the WIFLE Annual Leadership Training on practical mindset and resilience skills that can help law enforcement find their purpose on the job so to be more productive on the job.
Kanokogi outlined several Japanese concepts that provide guidance on being your best self on the job. First, Ganbatte Kudasai is a Japanese phrase meaning “do you best please” that is often used to encourage people to be their best. But for law enforcement, defining what it an officer’s “best” can be a challenge. Kanokogi noted the importance of mental wellness to be “be your best,” explaining that mental wellness allows officers to be more aware, capitalize on their strengths, build emotional intelligence, and deal with traumatic experiences.
Next, Kanokogi shared the benefits of the Japanese concept of Ikigai or finding purpose. An individual’s purpose is the intersection of what they are good at, what they love, what matters to them, and what they can be paid to do. Connecting these dots allows individuals to find personal fulfillment and focus on the job.
Creating Change in the Workforce
Identifying an individual’s purpose also allows the person to find motivation to be the solution in hard circumstances. Kanokogi emphasized the importance of doing the right thing even when it’s hard and taking initiative to address larger issues you notice in your profession and world.
Kanokogi provided an example from her own work. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Kanokogi was alarmed by higher suicide rates within the law enforcement community. Kanokogi was impassioned to do more to advocate for the mental health services for law enforcement professionals and worked with FLEOA to draft legislation on this topic. Through Kanokogi’s efforts, several bills have been passed into law providing confidential peer support services and mental health resources to federal law enforcement.
Once an individual is more in tune with their own purpose and compelled to act, Kanokogi explained the importance of communicating emotions effectively so to effectively impact behavior.
One tip provided by Kanokogi was to use “I feel” statements that center your emotions in a discussion in a clear and non-accusatory way. Similarly, Kanokogi recommended using “compliment sandwiches” that provide both positive and negative feedback in combination. These communication strategies are proven to lead to more effective behavioral changes.
Ultimately though, effective communication and behavioral change require officers to have the courage to speak up about their needs in the workplace. Kanokogi noted the value of setting strong boundaries and releasing yourself of the pressure of someone else’s expectations, instead fighting for what is best for you in your career.
Maintaining a Growth Mindset
To truly be your best, Kanokogi emphasized the value of a growth mindset. A fixed mindset can lead to frustration and stagnation. But Kanokogi explained that affirmative actions to change your mindset can carve new neural pathways in your brain. Constantly challenging yourself can move your brain from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Kanokogi recommends taking a class or using a learning app to promote growth.
Effective mental growth also requires individuals to get out of mind traps. For example, when experiencing low levels of anxiety, individuals can lessen the overall stressful effect by resetting their nervous system with box breathing. This breathing exercise takes an individual out of their anxiety loop and grounds their mind in a more calming activity.
Similarly, ambiguity can fuel catastrophic thinking. When a supervisor says, “Come to my office in 15 minutes?” an employee may be compelled to worry they are in trouble. To challenge catastrophic thinking, Kanokogi encouraged employees to ask:
- What is realistically the worst-case scenario?
- What is the best-case scenario?
- What is the most probable scenario?
A growth mindset can also be fueled by healthy physical activities such as clean eating and adequate sleep.
Finally, Kanokogi encouraged employees to identify their strengths and lean into them to lead a more fulfilling life and career. Kanokogi shared research that managers who focus on strengths can lead to better productivity in their organizations.
Overall, Kanokogi emphasized the role of mental agility and resilience in ensuring law enforcement can be their best self each day on the job. Every day, what it means to be your best will looks different but the role of law enforcement is too important to accept anything less.