The Triangle of Character

1. The Triangle of Character Gary L. Patton, Ph.D. LPC

2. If you think about renowned leaders, the mention of their names, leads to memories of their deeds.We are in essence thinking of their character.

3. What is this thing called character? Why does it matter about public safety and protection?

4. Words / Actions Cognitive Processes Belief Systems

5. Our belief system actually guides our thoughts, ideas, and behavior.

6. A roll call…. • Dwight Eisenhower • Colin Powell • Idi Amin • Nelson Mandela • Saddam Hussein • Billy Graham • John Wooden

10. Integrity Do the right thing, in the right way, for the right amount of time.

11. Courage “Courage is when you are scared to death and yet you do what you have to do.” Gen. Omar Bradley

12. Courage – cont’d Courage is the greatest virtue because it allows for all the others.

13. Discipline “The pain of discipline hurts less than the pain of regret.”

14. Traits of First Responders • Need to be in control • Obsessive • Compulsive • Highly motivated • Action oriented

15. Traits – cont’d • High need for stimulation • Need for immediate gratification • Easily bored • Risk takers • Highly dedicated • Need to be needed Source: ICISF Jim Gunnels, Special Agent, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)

16. How can these fit into a sense of response to disaster and a sense of justice?

17. There are obviously some things in that list that can essentially go either way in terms of outcomes.

18. Do you want an obsessive, easily bored person who likes to take risks babysitting your children?

19. Probably not , however…

20. Do you want an obsessive, easily bored, highly motivated, highly dedicated (disciplined) person who is willing to take risks who is known for impeccable integrity taking care of your children?

22. A reminder of our time in history…..

27. The wisdom of Allan Greenspan Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve He observed a very basic and yet haunting point…..

28. “The common ingredient in all disasters, emergencies, and crisis….

29. is that something was unanticipated.”

30. Examples • The Great Depression • 9-11 • School shootings

31. The Unanticipated… • The good guys have to guess ahead of the bad guys. • Once something happens, we often hear, “nobody thought of this”. • An example:

32. CASVE Model of Decision Making

33. Comes from the field of career planning. • Is an adaptable model for planning and triage.

34. Communication Execution Analysis Valuing Synthesis

35. Communication (Identify a gap) • Analysis (Interrelating problem components) • Synthesis (Creating likely alternatives) • Valuing (Prioritizing alternatives) • Execution (Forming means-end strategies)

36. Critical Thinking Skills • Critical = Evaluative • Minimize risks • Maximize gains • Assess a situation for outcomes • Work from a principle to an issue • Work from an issue to a principle

37. Thinking is often casual and informal, whereas critical thinking deliberately evaluates the quality of thinking. In productive problem solving you generate ideas (by creativity) and evaluate ideas (by criticality). 

38. Critical Thinking and Character • Linda Elder and Richard Paul in Valuable Intellectual Traits, describe the traits of: - courage - integrity - perseverance (discipline) as intrical to critical thinking.

39. A Point In Planning “Whatever does not get resolved gets repeated.”

40. Inspiration “Inspiration is helping to believe that they can do that which they previously believed themselves unable to do.” Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

41. Two things to keep in mind when delegating and hiring • Hire for attitude and train for skills. 2. The “why” influences the “how”.

42. Integrity • Accepting responsibility • No excuses and managing reasons • Upholding justice • Forgetting about perfection and pursuing excellence

43. Discipline • Training a little harder • The easy day was yesterday • Do all you can do, and then do one more