A Case Study: Clarity & Competence

A few nights ago I sitting at home in the evening when I heard a loud, distinctive BANG! 

Looking out over the porch, I noticed a car sitting in the middle of the road, hazard lights flashing, airbags deployed. 

Suddenly, the driver of the car sort of fell out into the street, stood up, and ran off painfully. 

Not only had he hit a parked car, but he’d added to the insult by running away. 

Watching the police arrive was a case study in clarity and competence. 

The two officers on the scene split up. One put out cones, small warning lights, and a crash sign. He then proceeded to focus on directing traffic in both directions. 

The other officer interviewed witnesses; those who heard the crash, those who saw the guy bail on foot, and finally the poor teenage girl with the smashed car in its parking spot. 

Observing their work from my balcony, there was no confusion for the two police. There was no trying to do the other’s job faster or better. Nor was there any delay in action with their own tasks. 

I didn’t even notice a hint of indecision.

If I’m honest, it was a masterclass in competence and clarity. 

Both officers knew their roles (perhaps they decided in the car on the way to the scene?). Both officers stuck with their assignment. They were polite but pragmatic.

In the distance, I noticed multiple flashing red and blues coming toward us. Other units who stopped farther away to hunt down the run-away driver.

Even in that, the two officers outside my house didn’t waver in their duty. While not the most glamorous - unlike catching the bad guy - these cops kept to the clarity of the role before them.

What is our approach as leaders when we show up on the scene somewhere? 

The scene of someone’s desk after we delegated a task to them, and it doesn’t look like they’re working on that task? How’s our ‘scene-side’ manner?

Or the scene of a project team meeting when we know the project is off-budget/time/direction - What is our own clarity and communication like?

Maybe the scene is just walking in through the door to our own home - genuine chaos often-times - how would a little preparation help us focus on the most important things, like our kids?

*Big thanks to the NZ Police and Fire and Emergency teams who showed up, stayed up late, and cleaned up the mess. Well done.