A FORMER police chief turned leadership specialist has stressed the importance of strong direction in large organisations including schools, universities and the uniformed services.
It comes after the HM chief inspector of constabulary criticised Police Scotland for not providing leadership training over the last seven years. The report found that the absence of relevant courses had created a gap in the provision of regular and ongoing diversity training to senior members of the organisation.
Kul Mahay, who spent more than 30 years’ with Derbyshire Constabulary and, at one time, was one of the most senior Asian officers in the UK, has said that the findings are ‘not surprising’.
He said: “The report is an interesting but, sadly, not surprising take on police leadership development. I’m a firm believer that emotional intelligence in leadership is absolutely critical in modern times.
“As a former police leader, I’m encouraged by the police services that I work with specifically around this area, who have recognised this. However, we need to extend this work across all of our uniformed services – and in other organisations – across the UK.
“Emotional intelligence should not be reserved solely for senior leaders but it should proliferate throughout entire organisations to bring about an empowered culture where people feel valued and happy and, consequently, more productive over a longer term.”
Kul, who co-founded the UK’s Black Police Association, worked with police services – including Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Police – universities, colleges and NHS Trusts over the summer to develop courses aimed at inspiring leaders from the black and minority ethnic community.
Kul, who advised the police service following publication of the Macpherson Report; the investigation which followed the tragic death of teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1993, wants to help develop healthy environments where uncomfortable conversations about race become the norm.
He said: “Diversity and inclusion is about creating a healthy environment where these uncomfortable conversations about race become the norm and we learn the collective power of having diverse views in our organisations, rather than everyone coming from the same background and thus creating homogenous cultures.
“Demographic diversity, such as race, sex and gender orientation has proved time and again to improve cognitive diversity, that is about an organisation having the ability to see things with a variety of perceptions.
“There is a yawning gap of disparity amongst BAME leaders at the most senior levels in most organisations. A huge part of this is because BAME staff have learned to believe less in themselves over time, which is not only sad but a huge disbenefit to organisations.
“The courses I have been working on celebrate race and how to develop the skills of BAME staff in organisations so that they have the confidence to achieve their potential.
“I’m really encouraged that the organisations which I’ve worked with understand that using emotional intelligence at the very core of leadership and staff development brings about lasting change.”
ENDS
This press release was issued by Penguin PR. For more information or to arrange interviews please contact Kerry Ganly on 07734 723951 or by emailing [email protected]
