b'months in duration, starting in September 2020 for a totalReturning to the fictional Coach Lasso, what character of 409 data sets out of a possible 1,648 participants. Ofstrengthscanweattributetohimusingtheidentified the 409 participants, 266 self-identified as male and 143character strengths that contribute to success? Perhaps his self-identified as female, with an average age of 28.69topfivestrengthswouldbehumility,honesty/integrity, years.Initially,takingahigh-levelviewoftheresults,judgment, teamwork/collaboration and kindness/human-the11leadercharacterstrengthsinorderfrommostity.BusinessProfessorWarrenBennisoftheUniversity frequenttoleastfrequentare:integrity,accountability,ofSouthernCaliforniastated,Successfulleadershipis humility, courage, collaboration, humanity, drive, justice,not about being tough or soft, sensitive or assertive, but temperance,judgmentandtranscendence.Inreflectingabout a set of attributes. First and foremost is character. 7ontheseoutcomes,Seijtsindicatedthere wasminimalIf this statement is true, then watching a new coachvariance between character strengths; he also noted thateven a fictional oneuse his character strengths as he temperancedefined as being patient, calm, composed,grows into a leadership role in challenging situations and self-controlled and prudentwas not the lowest on theunder immense public scrutiny can provide a lesson for list, which, based on his previous research, it is in manypolice leaders.other organizations. This is an interesting finding perhaps related to the demands of police work and the rationale for those who seek out opportunities for public service.Irene Barath became a full-time trainer and instructor at If character,inshort,isahabitofbeingasetofthe Ontario Police College in Aylmer, Ont. [retired] after a observable behavioursanchored in a set of virtues, traits15-year policing career. With a masters degree in HR, her and values that offer an ethic of individual excellence, con- responsibilities during the latter part of her career focused on tinual moral development and striving towards a commonher roles as A/Chief Instructor, Team Leader of Leadership in good, then this definition leads us to the more substantialthe Leadership Development Unit and Resilience, and as a findings of this innovative research: Wellness Training Coordinator.Character strengths are positively related to the motiv- Gerard Seijts is a professor of organizational behaviour at the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario in ation to lead, which can translate into an increasedLondon, Ont. He received his Ph.D. in organizational behaviour motivation to take on additional responsibility and theand human resource management from the Rotman School of associated accountability, including the development ofManagement at the University of Toronto.leadership skills.Character strengths are positively related to subjective1 Yaeger, Don. Coach, Wisdom from the Life and Lessons of Johnwell-being, which can translate to emotional well-be- Wooden. Success Magazine, December 2016, success.com, p. 36.ing and increased functionality: Increased engagement2Yaeger, Don. Coach, Wisdom from the Life and Lessons of Johnin the classroom is beneficially connected to both the3 Wooden. Success Magazine, December 2016, success.com, p. 41. Wooden, John and Jamison, Steve. Wooden on Leadership. McGrawmotivation to lead and subjective well-being. Hill, New York, 2005, p. 41.4Peterson, Christopher and Seligman, Martin. Character Strengths andCharacter strengths are positively related to positiveVirtues: A Handbook and Classification. New York, Oxford Universitycoping strategiesthe increased utilization of activePress, 2004. www.viacharacter.org.5Crossan, M., Seijts, G. and Gandz, J. (2016). Developing Leadership problem solving and problem reappraisalas well as a Character. New York, NY: Routledge Publishing. www.ivey.uwo.ca/decrease in less beneficial avoidance coping strategies.leadership/research-resources/leader-character-framework.6Eblin, S. Overworked and Overwhelmed. Wiley Publishing, New York,In short, knowing and understanding how you are at2014, p. 16.your best gives you a reference point for how you want to7Wooden, John and Jamison, Steve. Wooden on Leadership. McGrawshow up as a leader, as a professional, as a family member,Hill, New York, 2005, p. 74.as a friend and as a person. 6The research project reported here provides an initial insight into benefits that can be obtained from the study andutilizationofcharacterstrengths.Amoredetailed examination of the data is being prepared for academic publication.Policetrainingatallstagesofanofficers careerinvolvescomplexconcepts,includingknowledge of and competency in the application of the law, as well as skills for effective communication, building public trust and maintaining safety. Recommendations from previous private sector research by Seijts team and this new col-laboration provide validation for blending the study and operationalization of character into all aspects of police training and education.The Official Publication of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police21'