From NAPE Monthly Email. By Marlon Yarber, Sacramento County Chief Probation Officer

SACRAMENTO, CA | March 07, 2024 – Be Ready for Change – whether planned or unexpected
Organizational change can happen at any time. When executives have a transition plan in place, they should be ready for change most every time. 

…

Probation Tip: Taking on a New Role – by Marlon Yarber

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of self-assessment and self-awareness. This includes not only technical skills and abilities but also physical health and well-being, family support and capacity, and the ability to lead during difficult situations such as financial crises or the loss of an officer.”   

Leadership transitions are often challenging. Studies indicate that we succeed roughly 50% of the time, which means that the outcome can be a matter of chance. Although there is a lot of literature on this topic, I would like to share a few useful tips that I have found helpful:

• Listen, take action, and advance the department’s mission.
• Develop and communicate your vision, especially when it’s necessary to chart a new course.
• Evaluate your team and surround yourself with trustworthy individuals, not just those who look, act, or think the same way you do.

Before the transition, I encourage everyone to do a few things. As someone who has both joined a new organization as a second-in-command and later ascended to Chief, I cannot overemphasize the importance of self-assessment and self-awareness.

…

Ask yourself if you are ready, and if not, please prepare yourself as the job’s demands can be challenging and come at you quickly.

Originally posted in NAPE Monthly Email: How to Prepare for Organizational Change, March 7, 2024 by NAPE