The Chinese New Year commences on 29th January 2025. In the Chinese calendar, each year is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
In this quick blog I give an overview of the symbolism behind the snake and relate its symbolic traits, such as wisdom and transformation, to police leadership and your promotion ambitions. I also share my brief podcast below to kick of the new season and preview what’s to come.
I will publish the first premium episode all about integrity on the 29th to kick start Season 5. Please note I mention in the podcast it being the 25th in error, it’s definitely the 29th!
Gong hei fat choy! (Happy new Year!)
As you might have guessed, my popular Police Promotion and Leadership Podcast follows the Chinese New Year. Now spanning over 120 episodes across 4 Seasons so far, there’s dozens of hours of content to support your continuous professional development as an aspiring police leader.
- Season 1: Year of the Ox (21 episodes)
- Season 2: Year of the Tiger (27 episodes)
- Season 3: Year of the Rabbit (30 episodes)
- Season 4: Year of the Dragon (50 episodes)
Topics in just the past year include the CVF, interview tips and techniques, example promotion evidence, Code of Ethics explainers, policing culture, reviews and summaries of key leadership books, keep you abreast of important policing reports and trends, interviews of senior police leaders for their candid views on police leadership, and much more besides. So many cops have told me how useful they find the content, so I’ve kept it growing and keeping things fresh for you.
You can subscribe for just £4.99 per month to support my work but more importantly really put a spring into your ongoing development, regardless of whether you have an upcoming board. Here’s the steps on how if unsure or podcasts are new to you.
While most of my audience is in the UK, be assured the insights you’ll gain are internationally-relevant, with cops tuning in from Ireland, USA, Australia, Canada, and dozens of other countries.
“Thank you for your products & podcasts. As I go into my journey as a Sergeant, I’m going to keep listening, to keep my momentum going so I can smash my inspectors 1st time too. Very grateful to you & my mentor. Please keep the material coming, it shaped & guided my answers so much.” – Iain, successful Sergeant
2025: Year of the Snake
Police promotion can sometimes feel like a game of Snakes and Ladders, or you might have in mind a negative view of snake-like traits (or even people who display them!), but we’re not talking about that. The Chinese Year of the Snake brings forth qualities like wisdom, transformation, calmness, and creativity.
While the Chinese zodiac’s influence is cultural and symbolic, characteristics of a Snake year can metaphorically resonate with police leadership qualities. Looking at and considering such qualities in the context of the CVF and police leadership behaviours helps you become a more rounded promotion candidate to your force. See for example my bespoke Sussex Leadership Framework on ‘What Makes a Good Leader’ and AI-inspired police leadership behaviours.
Here are some points to reflect upon where these characteristics intersect…
Wisdom and Decision-Making
The Snake year is associated with intelligence and thoughtful decision-making. As you’ll know, police leaders are expected to make informed, yet challenging decisions centred around the Code of Ethics. This reflects the Snake’s ability to think deeply and solve problems wisely, crucial skills for effective police leadership, especially in complex scenarios where nuanced judgment is needed. Are you analysing critically?
Calmness and Stress Management
Snakes are known for their calm demeanour. The expectation for police leaders to maintain composure under pressure is just one aspect of your skills in emotional intelligence. Think ‘We are Emotionally Aware’, whereby self-management is one of the four key components of emotional intelligence.
Effective leadership in policing requires managing high-stress situations, e.g. public order events, with calmness to ensure clear thinking and leadership by example for the team. This trait supports the creation of a reassuring environment and positive culture.
Transformation and Adaptability
The Year of the Snake symbolises transformation, encouraging individuals to evolve and adapt. In the context of policing and your aspirations to a leadership position, this can be linked not just to the ongoing need to adapt to the VUCA world, but also transforming yourself to become a better promotion candidate. In my premium promotion materials and masterclass, I emphasise the importance of you having a growth mindset if you wish to succeed.
Creativity in Problem-Solving
Given the creativity associated with the Snake, police leadership can benefit from ‘innovative and open minded’ approaches. Promotion selection processes often look for leaders who can think ‘outside de bono’, particularly in crime prevention, community policing, and operational tactics. Problem-solving is a subject which also often features in presentation scenarios, for which I provide extensive guidance and example structures in my Interview Success guide.
Intuition and Insight
Snakes are noted for their intuition, which in policing can translate to an ability to read situations and people beyond the surface. Developing your emotional intelligence skills and keeping abreast of wider policing trends will enhance your intuition for detecting where problems might arise and understanding the deeper issues. Whether that’s within your team dynamics or in building positive relations with the public.
I look forward to providing for you yet more great free and premium episodes over the year to come, along with more of the best free police leadership materials going via my blogs and videos. I encourage you to take your long-term CPD seriously and wish you the very best in your promotion endeavours in 2025.
Kind Regards, Steve
Seeking police promotion? Want a MASSIVE head start right now? Hit the ground running with your personal digital promotion toolkit, and/or my market-leading Police Promotion Masterclass. There’s nothing else like it to effectively prepare you for success in your leadership aspirations. You can also contact me to arrange more personal coaching support. Or try my podcast for your ongoing police leadership CPD covering a range of fascinating subjects.
