My final in-person police promotion masterclass I’ve organised is on 22 June. If ever you’ve wondered what I cover on these action-packed days, clearly now’s the time to book your spot! This will be the last in-person police promotion masterclass organised by Rank Success.
Fear not however, because my video masterclass will remain available. I’ll still also provide seminars at events organised by proactive individuals in forces; I just won’t be organising any further masterclasses myself. This will allow me to focus more on my wider-reaching podcast material and exciting new supportive leadership content (watch this space!).
In this blog, I look back on a decade of sharing what works, how my content has adapted over time, and what other support I’ll offer through Rank Success after this date. I’ll also share some personal insights on the journey, the legacy these workshops have left, and insights as to what I’ll be including on 22 June in Birmingham to make this one a fantastic finale for the aspiring officers who choose to attend.
A Decade of What Works
“Another success story… Well I got the call informing me I have passed my Chief Inspector’s board. Thanks as always. Particularly for the help and advice following the Masterclass. I’ve used your resources to get to Sergeant, Inspector and now Chief Inspector. There’s no better proof that what you do works. Thanks once more and maybe one day I’ll be coming to you for some coaching around a superintendent process.”
The above is just one of the many officers who have come on my exclusive promotion masterclass and used my bespoke promotion materials throughout their career; and done so more than once for multiple promotions at different ranks. I received this email this month, but it was poignant because it reminds me how I’ve been privileged to share this journey with many returning customers over the years.
The very first workshop I conducted was at the Holiday Inn Express in Dartford, near London, in 2011. At that time the support for aspiring police leaders was minimal and such practical leadership and promotion development was revolutionary. I was still a DI at the time, but nearing the wilderness and bewilderment of retirement.
Needless to say, the positive feedback and engagement informed my decision to launch Rank Success. I wanted to help fill the void of support to officers in the Federated ranks, while giving something back to policing; a fulfilling career that had served me well. I also wanted to influence police leadership for the better, by offering more rounded leadership skills to those putting themselves forward for promotion, and levelling the playing field so great cops could get through the academic minefield.
Many individuals have gone on to become very senior officers, including Chief Officers. That’s something I’m proud to have supported, connecting policing with great leaders, who would otherwise have had their careers hampered simply because the promotion process was alien to them or seemed too academic.
Since then, I’ve given workshops all around the country, including at the iconic Hendon, New Scotland Yard, and ERB centres in the Met Police. I’ve travelled to Birmingham, Greater Manchester, and even to Northern Ireland to provide my bespoke promotion and leadership training, to name just a few.
I’ve presented at golf clubs, spa hotels, conference centres, and in police buildings around the UK. I’d like to especially thank those individuals who organised the logistics of me coming to their force (this will still be an option in future should you want me to come to you, providing a local seminar or workshop). In more recent years, I’d settled on a the National Motorcycle Museum on the outskirts of Birmingham, given its central, accessible location and pleasant conference facilities.
Plus Ca Change Police Promotion
“I was successful in getting through my Inspector board 1st attempt. In fact, I scored maximum marks of 20/20 in my presentation/board, so it couldn’t have gone any better! A lot of very talented colleagues didn’t get through!”
I’ve blogged before about police promotion guinea pigs, changing frameworks, competencies and even with the proposed changes to the SIPP from the NPPF. While of course I’ve adapted my content to keep with the times, the Rank Success Framework (RSF) and consistent approach to excellent leadership skills has been a reliable constant throughout.
Luckily for confused aspiring cops (and contrary to what the academics theorise), a great police leader in 2024 has the same core skillset as they did in 2014, and even 2004. Whether that’s as a Sergeant, Inspector, or beyond, the only thing that changes is the ‘window dressing’ of how that is articulated in force or College of Policing documents. The RSF is a touchstone providing certainty, an anchor in the swirling sea of change.
The RSF has been used successfully not just in the UK, but further afield too. Officers across Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, and in British Overseas Territories have also found this bespoke police leadership support invaluable. Many more officers in many more countries are also listening to the exclusive insights within my Police Promotion and Leadership podcast.
22 June – A Special Occasion…
To celebrate this being the last live police promotion event I’ll organise, there will be a special personal gift for each attendee to support their ongoing CPD. You’ll also receive:
- A complimentary copy of my rank-specific Sergeant or Inspector reading toolkit, jam-packed with insights
- My unique 3 hour CVF explainer video, breaking down competencies and values into plain English
- A suite of bespoke, topical leadership handouts you won’t get elsewhere
- Lunch, teas, coffees and refreshments all included
Then of course, we’ll be covering the ‘Rank Success Framework’ of getting your leadership and promotion aspirations off to a flying start. Here’s just some examples of what we’ll focus on and you’ll get insights to:
- Techniques for interview success and effective briefings / presentations
- Nailing your understanding of the role of Sergeant, Inspector, and Chief Inspector
- Demystifying the selection process
- Boosting your confidence
- Tailored Q&A session to allay any specific concerns you have
- Focus areas for targeted leadership development
- Predicting the promotion questions you’ll face
- Breaking down the CVF, values and behaviours
This is the best deal I’ve ever offered and the last time it will be available. Can you really afford not to invest in yourself, not least given the salary and pension benefits?
“Really well delivered, well thought out content. I didn’t feel confident at all coming in today, and now I do. I’m two weeks away from my board, if I had found this earlier I would definitely feel much more prepared.” – Immediate masterclass feedback
Why Do Officers Attend?
Below are some of the reasons officers give for seeking out my support and attending my organised events. Does any of this sound like you?
- Knowing how to prepare effectively when competition for posts is high.
- Emergency support when there’s only 3 days until their interview.
- In a specialist role, but the force wants a generic leader; how to adapt evidence accordingly.
- Want to know where gaps are and how to fill.
- Understand the process and what sort of questions will be asked.
- Uncertainty on what a good verbal response to interview questions entails.
- Failed before coming to Rank Success, don’t know why, but certainly don’t want to fail again.
- Uncertainty about what the promotion board are looking for in a candidate.
- Generally fearful or bewildered about what good looks like and how to achieve that.
- How to pitch evidence at Inspector, not Sergeant, despite both being Level 2.
- How to confidently answer forward-facing questions.
After the workshop, I ask attendees to complete a 2 minute feedback form, helping me constantly improve the content. Having delivered this exclusive masterclass to hundreds of officers over the years, 100% of people said they would recommend Rank Success services to others. Well, technically one individual 8 years ago said they wouldn’t, for the following shrewd reason:
“Lots of content to take in. Delivered very well and with enthusiasm. I would not recommend Rank Success services to colleagues; only because it would give my competition an advantage!”
For others, confidence levels were drastically improved having attended and 98% rated the content and delivery as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ (only 2% said ‘Satisfactory’, 0% said ‘Poor’). To put a more personal touch on the feedback, the following word cloud summarises what three words they would use to describe the masterclass…
You might also be interested in a case study sharing Liz’s story of success (and hard work!), after attending my masterclass late last year.
This is why I call my Promotion Masterclass, ‘What Works’.
What Next for Rank Success?
To make sure I support as many officers as possible with my limited time, I’ll be creating more exciting podcast and video content, while also making new leadership materials. With thanks to subscribers, I’ll be able to do more interviews with Chief Officers and other influential voices in policing and leadership.
If you want to know the secrets to success, you can at any time of course download your personal copy of my brand new, 6.5 hour promotion masterclass. I launched this just last month and once downloaded, you’ll have 24/7 access to bespoke materials to support your career, complete with a complimentary ‘Exclusive Insights’ guide with further reading.
It takes days of time an effort for me to organise the in-person promotion masterclasses, hence why I only offer a few a year. Also as time has gone on, I’ve found far more people want the convenience of effective police promotion materials available to hand, to fit around their busy life and when they can fit in some preparation.
But if you really want some in-person training, there’s nothing stopping you inviting me to provide police promotion and leadership seminars or workshops in your force. I’ve done this before for aspiring candidates and proactive individuals in forces who want to support their colleagues. You arrange the logistics and attendees, I’ll turn up to give the briefing and leadership support. Just contact me to arrange, my prices are competitive, and your force may be willing to subsidise the fees as part of its leadership development support.
Coaching will of course be an option for years to come, should you want personal and tailored support to suit your needs and situation, towards police promotion success.
I look forward to seeing you next month if you can make it. But in any case, watch this space for new exciting materials and content from Rank Success.
Kind Regards, Steve
Want to go further right now? Hit the ground running with your promotion preparation. Get your personal digital promotion toolkit, and/or my Police Promotion Masterclass. Contact me to arrange personal coaching support, or why not also try my podcast for ongoing police leadership CPD.
