Bring Up the Next You: Why Your Struggle Can Become Someone Else's Shortcut

By Sheronda Grant

About five years into my career as a police officer, I was the jokester. I took my work seriously, but I didn't always take myself seriously.

My captain called me into his office and had a very stern conversation with me. He told me I needed to take myself more seriously, because I had leadership qualities, and one day I could be a leader in my organization.

Me? A leader? No way.

Honestly, I was irritated that he checked me. But maybe he was right. Maybe I could be a leader one day.

He didn't just encourage me. He corrected me, because he saw the leader in me before I saw it in myself.

That's Lesson 4 of Hold the Door Open: bring up the next you.

From finding mentors to becoming one

For the first few weeks of this series, we talked about finding mentors: seeking out the trailblazers and leaning on people who understand your path. Now it's time to turn it around.

There are people in this profession right now who could lead, who could teach, who could change a whole unit, and they don't know it yet. Someone has to tell them. What if that someone was you?

The trap

Here's the trap many of us fall into:

"Nobody helped me. I figured it out. So can they."

I understand that. But just because you earned it the hard way doesn't mean the next person has to learn it that way. Your struggle can become someone else's shortcut. Your struggle can be the blueprint to assisting someone navigate their career more clearly.

Mentor or sponsor?

A mentor talks to you. They share what they've learned, give you honest feedback, answer the hard questions and help you see a path you might not see on your own.

A sponsor talks about you, in rooms you're not in. When an opportunity opens and someone asks, "Who's ready for this assignment or this role?", a sponsor says your name, because they've seen your work, your skills and the leadership you show consistently, and they're willing to put their credibility behind you.

Most of us were told to find a mentor. Few of us were told to become a sponsor. The next generation needs both.

How to bring up the next you

• Name them. When you see potential in a person, tell them. When an opportunity fits them, say their name during those discussions, and be specific about why you believe they'd be a good fit.

• Spend your credibility wisely. Your reputation opens doors theirs can't yet, so recommend people who meet your organization's and unit's standards.

• Hold them to it. Mentorship isn't cheerleading. You are holding people accountable, while providing guidance.

To newer members: listen.

If someone pulls you to the side and corrects you, try not to take it personally. They're trying to give you information so you can become better. If someone is trying to put you on game, learn the game.

Not everyone is kind when they correct you. But as my mom has always told me: chew the meat and spit out the bone. Take hold of the knowledge and wisdom they give you, and let the rest go.

To mentors: not everyone grows at the same rate

Don't get offended if someone rejects your guidance. If you know it's useful, give it to someone else. At some point, they may come around. And if they don't, that's okay. There are plenty of people ready to be helped.

This week

• Leaders: Tell one person what you see in them. Then say their name in a room they're not in.

• Newer members: The next time someone corrects you, listen. It could stop you from making decisions that negatively impact your career.

Someone held the door open for us. Let's make sure we're holding it open for the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

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You are strong enough.

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