Wasted Honor -- - Say What you Need To Say......: So you want to be a leader? Are you ready

Wasted Honor -

Carl R. ToersBijns is the author of the Wasted Honor Trilogy [Wasted Honor I,II and Gorilla Justice] and his newest book From the Womb to the Tomb, the Tony Lester Story, which is a reflection of his life and his experiences as a correctional officer and a correctional administrator retiring with the rank of deputy warden in the New Mexico and Arizona correctional systems.

Carl also wrote a book on his combat experience in the Kindle book titled - Combat Medic - Men with destiny - A red cross of Valor -

Carl is considered by many a rogue expert in the field of prison security systems since leaving the profession. Carl has been involved in the design of many pilot programs related to mental health treatment, security threat groups, suicide prevention, and maximum custody operational plans including double bunking max inmates and enhancing security for staff. He invites you to read his books so you can understand and grasp the cultural and political implications and influences of these prisons. He deals with the emotions, the stress and anxiety as well as the realities faced working inside a prison. He deals with the occupational risks while elaborating on the psychological impact of both prison worker and prisoner.

His most recent book, Gorilla Justice, is an un-edited raw fictional version of realistic prison experiences and events through the eyes of an anecdotal translation of the inmate’s plight and suffering while enduring the harsh and toxic prison environment including solitary confinement.

Carl has been interviewed by numerous news stations and newspapers in Phoenix regarding the escape from the Kingman prison and other high profile media cases related to wrongful deaths and suicides inside prisons. His insights have been solicited by the ACLU, Amnesty International, and various other legal firms representing solitary confinement cases in California and Arizona. He is currently working on the STG Step Down program at Pelican Bay and has offered his own experience insights with the Center of Constitutional Rights lawyers and interns to establish a core program at the SHU units. He has personally corresponded and written with SHU prisoners to assess the living conditions and how it impacts their long term placement inside these type of units that are similar to those in Arizona Florence Eyman special management unit where Carl was a unit deputy warden for almost two years before his promotion to Deputy Warden of Operations in Safford and Eyman.

He is a strong advocate for the mentally ill and is a board member of David's Hope Inc. a non-profit advocacy group in Phoenix and also serves as a senior advisor for Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council in Chino, California As a subject matter expert and corrections consultant, Carl has provided interviews and spoken on national and international radio talk shows e.g. BBC CBC Lou Show & TV shows as well as the Associated Press.

I use sarcasm, satire, parodies and other means to make you think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

So you want to be a leader? Are you ready – Really Ready?

Not everyone is a leader and not all persons have the abilities to be a leader. There are tangibles and intangibles you have to deal with internally and externally to prepare yourself for this kind of role. Leadership does not come without a price and sometimes it’s the price you pay that impacts your leadership style and consequences for such behaviors. Once you step up to be perceived and accepted as a leader you must conform to some expectations that may change your life.

The way you talk and use certain words, the words you speak and the body language you use could either contribute or take away your effectiveness as a leader. Leadership adds value to a cause, organization or expectations and vice versa it could also draw away those values set due to lack of credibility or attitudes displayed.

We have all experienced good and bad leadership. Some leaders become even stronger leaders because their values and ethics defined them and their personal brand inspired others. Conversely, I also saw who were in the right place at the right time who conformed in the right way politically right amount of risk (typically, all of it) that made making their leadership efforts appear divine.

Regardless, once you show up for work, leisure or pleasure there are certain expectations and it is important that you uphold such anticipations.

1. First Impressions and dressing the part. “Perception is reality.” People tend to assume what they see is what they get – this is where the pre-game hype is realistic and not overly exaggerated.

2. Play the role. The common perception of a leader is one that is extroverted, confident and speaks well in public. Be who you are and want to be but if you feel you lack some insight chose someone who epitomizes what looks good for you. Be yourself while imagining yourself as that person. .

3. Avoid political correctness - Shoot straight -- avoid the Bull Shit. People can detect BS a mile away, especially if they are skeptical already.

4. Never walk away from difficult questions. True leaders operate without boundaries when it comes to answering questions. They know that transparency and openness brings trust and innovation, and keep it in the right context when making decisions, a concerted effort to answer tough questions demonstrates a commitment to your people.

5. Don’t be too anxious to reply to a question, sometimes you just have to listen. Not everybody needs a solution. Sometimes, the best thing a leader can do is just listen to issues and challenges. Demonstrate your interest by actively taking notes and then follow up with an action plan.

6. Be yourself and try to be sincerely candid. How you present yourself on stage, in a meeting or in a hallway encounter should be consistent and authentic, because the second you appear fake it raises a red flag you are not who you appear to be.

Being genuine, sincere and open speaks to who you are and anything less gives rise to skepticism and raised eyebrows. No matter where you go, make sure you show up with the right “leadership hat” on, because a leader’s work is never done.

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