1B

Any thoughts on Senior Detectives when promoted more driving desks than out investigating murders?

You can’t really see what’s going on sitting at a desk. You need to go out and investigate in order to get things done.

It's common practice for Senior Detectives and Senior Officers in many types of organizations to take on administrative roles and to use their experience and knowledge to develop the skills and talents of their staffs, who someday will become Senior Leaders. The role of a leader is to teach and support his staff or team. The most difficult thing for a leader is learning to delegate and remember delegation does not relieve oneself of responsibility.

Well said >3 JohnDBurke:. You are 100% correct in your thinking. Most of the police staff that this happens to hate it. They like the pay and the "being in charge" aspect but miss the action part that it takes away. My husband's partner said it made him feel older than he was.

This always seems a waste of talent, especially if they just become pen-pushers. On the other hand, if they can find time to mentor the up-and-comings, this would be a positive thing. And no one is forced to take promotion, (although it appears pressure was put McLean to step up the ladder).

The instinct of many workers is to seek promotion- more money, status etc. However some people find that they were happier in their previous roles. I think it is important to be sure that the more senior role suits your temperaments and talents otherwise it could be bad news for you and your subordinates. If you are a bad fit for your new role it will soon be noticed by colleagues and is likely to affect efficient working negatively.
With regard to Tony McLean I will be interested to see if he can deal effectively with his new role as so far the indications are that he won't!

>6 Maura49: He definitely hasn’t got the hang of delegation. I believe he still lives by the maxim ‘if you want a job done well, do it yourself’.
There’s also the fact that a lot of his cases involve the supernatural. I think anyone else would have a hard time dealing with that.

I think >3 JohnDBurke: summed it up well. It is important in senior roles to develop those below you and help them build confidence in their role, and show they have your trust. This was the aspect of the headteacher/principal role I enjoyed most. Effectively recognising potential, how to shape individuals, and training your future replacement.
Tony is struggling with this and still wants to be doing. It could be a rocky road for him and those around him.