Ripple Revisit - Post originally posted on 7/20/11. Chief Acevedo is still our Police Chief in Austin and is doing a fantastic job and is still a very visible leader. 

VISIBLE LEADERSHIP

Austin recently hired a new police chief and his name is Art Acevedo. He takes over a department that in recent years has been shrouded in controversy and has a public perception problem. Chief Acevedo came to Austin from California where he was the assistant chief of the California Highway Patrol. 

From the first day that Chief Acevedo took over he has been visible. A trait apparently that won him much fan fare within the Los Angeles community. Chief Acevedo pledged to earn the trust of the Austin public. And so far he appears serious about this commitment. Most recently making public a video where a police officer stepped over the line and used excessive force to show both the police department and the public that this kind of action could and would in the future, be avoided. Furthermore, in using what I perceive to be a publicly embarrassing situation for the department. He created a learning opportunity and a public omission that his officers don't always get it right.

Visible leadership enables those you lead to watch and see how you respond publicly. They take all the rhetoric and motivational mumbo jumbo often hidden behind closed doors. Then put out there and tested in the stern eyes of public perception. That kind of leadership takes guts. 

Listening to the morning drive time news the other day. There was a half minute story about Acevedo's desire to show more of a police presence during this holiday season. Statics have shown that alcohol related incidents increase during the holidays. They also show that an increased police presence makes people think twice before drinking and jumping behind the wheel.

But what I find most impressive is that every officer would be out on patrol during the holidays. Including the Chief himself! If I was one of Austin's finest and the boss was asking me to be away from my family. I would be a little less upset about missing the celebrations when I looked across the parking lot and saw the big cheese himself jumping in a squad car to join the fight. That's truly putting his money where his mouth is if you ask me.

Visible leadership is more than just big words and big promises. It's about motivating and inspiring your people to do the difficult and challenging work. As a leader it means calling the play and keeping the football to show the team you walk your talk. Clearly that's what Chief Acevedo is doing.

Any CEO or organizational leader could learn a lot from the good example that Chief Acevedo's visible leadership is offering. I suspect Chief Acevedo's visible leadership is creating a pretty big Ripple Effect. Not only is he getting the attention of the entire police force.  But surly by the criminal element as well. Maybe they will think twice before deciding to pick Austin as a place to do their crime. The police officer that will undoubtedly catch them may very well be the Chief himself.

Welcome to Austin Chief Acevedo. I hope our paths cross one day....in a purely good way!

Ripple On!!!