Training Lessons from an Ex-Cop

Training Lessons from an Ex-Cop

Currie Gauvreau
Contributing Writer
Success Academy Trainer

After 17 years in Law Enforcement, I put my experience to use teaching at a local College.  It was a wonderful environment compared to what I was used to dealing with every day.  Very relaxing!  One day, I was enjoying a coffee in the professor’s lounge when another faculty member alerted me that a student of mine was looking for me, and she seemed very upset.  She was waiting outside the lounge.  I hurried to meet her, concerned about what might be the issue.

When I approached I could see she was nearly in tears.  I asked her what had happened.  She proceeded to explain why her work would be late, as she had misread the syllabus and was afraid I would not accept the assignment.  I was shocked that something I viewed as very trivial would be so upsetting to her, and in typical “cop” talk explained that as long as no one was dead or dying, we could fix it!

This was 10 years ago, and in hindsight this comment seems a bit abrupt.  I clearly wasn’t considering how the student was feeling at the time, I failed to EMPATHIZE.  As a retired cop, I tend to prioritize things differently than others primarily because of my experiences, education, gender, values and beliefs.  I have seen things that, to me, are REALLY serious.  I just don’t want to get worked up about something that can easily be corrected, like late homework.  I “Don’t sweat the small stuff”!  As a cop, taking charge, being in control and giving orders was in my DNA.  The problem is I am no longer in an environment where that is acceptable behavior.  I have learned over the years how important empathy really is.

From the student’s perspective, her performance was so important to her, it had a much deeper emotional impact.  Having empathy for others is not always an easy task.  Your perspective and emotions may not align with the person or people you are trying to empathize with.  Could this be happening in your training?

Empathy, according to Merriam-Webster, is the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions: or the ability to share someone else’s feelings (Merriam-Webster, 2015).  Why is this important when you are training you may ask?  Training people, in my opinion, is one of the most difficult tasks in any industry.  When training someone or a group, there is a convergence of factors that may impede the success of a session or program. There are several key elements that lead to being a successful trainer including empathy, effective communication skills, humility, credibility, the list goes on.  Don’t they say “Know your audience”, but they don’t tell you how!  Many believe that applies to understanding the intellectual level of those you are training, and this is true.  As important, is understanding the emotional status of your audience.

In my example above, I made a comment and did not take into account my student’s emotional state.  I just wanted her to feel comfortable that whatever had happened, we could remedy the situation.  Intentions aside, I could have handled that situation MUCH better.  Over the years I have learned to be more humble with my audience, to present a more approachable image, to consciously empathize with each and every member of my audience.  This builds a comfortable environment, allowing the audience to open up, both consciously and subconsciously.  An open mind is a mind ready to learn.  Work on it!

“empathy.” Merriam-Webster.com. 2011. http://www.merriam-webster.com (29 May 2015).

Success Academy Trainer Currie Gauvreau has 17 years of experience as both a trainer and instructor, during which he taught courses at the American Military University Online, University of Phoenix, and Strayer University among other schools and universities. He received his Master of Arts in Criminology with a concentration in Public Administration from the University of South Florida and prior to joining Direct Energy Home Services, he was a Sergeant with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, from which he retired.