The View from Outside: Communicating Influence and Organisational Change: Reflections from a Police Chief Constable

Abstract

This chapter explores changing values and expectations of leadership from the stereotypically masculine ‘heroic’ or ‘natural’ leader to a more situational, flexible, and empathetic leader. Drawing on my experience leading a modern police force, I reflect on communicative practices I consider critical to the success of implementing change in a transformational workplace. I present two case studies, which demonstrate the importance of effective communication as a means of negotiating anxieties and uncertainty that are often inherent in organisational change. The case studies are drawn from my roles working with multiple stakeholders to establish a Serious and Organised Crime Unit and to implement Stop and Search powers in a lawful and dignified manner. My experience has shown that a clear, positive message is crucial to implementing change, but so is dialogic communication. Academic linguistic research has a valuable role to play in providing evidence to support effective communication in policing.