Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Ltd., (est. 1990) is a unique training firm committed to helping candidates reach their goals by understanding the dynamic "Link" between "dimensions" and Job Performance! While we do help candidates prepare for promotions, our real focus is to help you develop your skills in order to be a great supervisor and manager!  But, if you don't know what the "dimensions" are, and what the assessors are looking for, how can you possibly expect to do well on a promotional exam? If you don't promote, you don't get the opportunity to develop and grow as a supervisor or manager. More importantly, candidates often miss the reasons why they want to promote and fail to see the connection to their commitment to the organization.

The steps to first line supervision or to management can be challenging. The key to success is not in the preparation for a test or promotional process, but in developing the skills required in that new role as a supervisor or manager. Our workshops and texts help candidates see that connection and how they can practice and demonstrate those transferable skills on a daily basis, prior to any promotional process.

Our unique ability to zero in on the job dimensions or KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) and help you spot your own transferable skills, with accurate and sometimes direct but constructive feedback on areas to improve, has helped many candidates reach their goals.

Our success is only the successes of our candidates who go on to become great supervisors and leaders!

Since 1990, KSA Ltd., has helped hundreds of candidates nationally to "demystify" the promotional process; from interviews, resumes and assessment centers! 

About us...

Rick Michelson, MPA, PhD candidate, is a former Police Sgt., Lt., and Interim Chief, with over 30 years experience in law enforcement. He is a college professor and teaches in a Criminal Justice Program at a Community College in the San Diego area. He is also a PhD candidate with the Union Institute and University, and is researching leadership development issues in public safety agencies. He also teaches Police Administration & Management courses as well as Emergency Planning at the Graduate level.

His experience in Law Enforcement includes positions as Sgt., (SDPD) Lt. (Cal Poly Pomona PD), and "Interim" Chief with a Community College Police Dept. He is a Reserve Lt., (Ret.)  with the San Diego County Sheriff's Dept. He has a Masters Degree in Public Administration, has written a variety of articles, study guides, and books. He conducts workshops on Promotional Preparation, featuring Supervisory Skill Building and Assessment Centers, for those who wish to prepare themselves for this challenging process. Rick is a facilitator for the Public Safety Leadership & Ethics course in conjunction with the California State Chancellors' office for Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).

He has developed a series of intensive, "hands-on" workshops designed to help police, corrections and firefighters experience those skills needed for that next rank! This helps in leadership development, since they are able to demonstrate their abilities in key scenarios related to the actual job they are aspiring to achieve. It also helps them prepare for performance based exercise. The program has been presented nationally, with students from throughout the U.S. Many of his former students have benefited from the training and have been promoted. Promotions have ranged from Sergeants, Lt's, Captain's, up to Deputy Chief for police and Fire Capt's to BC & DC's!

  Dr. Linsey Willis graduated with honors with a Doctorate in Public Administration and specialization in Human Resource Management from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship of Nova Southeastern University. She holds an M.A. degree in Forensic Studies from Indiana University, and also graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University with an M.P.A. (with an HR management concentration) degree. Dr. Willis received her Bachelors’ degree in Political Science from the University of Kentucky. The Human Resources Certification Institute of Society of Human Resource Management certifies her as a Senior Human Resources Professional (SPHR). 

Dr. Willis is the Director of L.J. CRAIG & Associates, Inc., which is the culmination of 26 years of Human Resources and management experience. The firm specializes in the design and delivery of “People Management Systems” including employee training, the design and administration of assessment centers, structured-behavioral interviews, written exams, employee handbooks, performance management systems and job analysis, to name a few. Recent training programs include Organizational Leadership, Performance Appraisal, Understanding and Preventing Sexual Harassment, Time Management, and Managing and Motivating Employees. 

Dr. Willis is the author of “Strategies and Methods for Competency-Based Selection and Leadership Development: Four Case Studies”, in Current Practices, Insights and Perspectives, the 2006 Pfeiffer Annual Human Resource Management (editor, Robert C. Preziosi).  She is a member of the Education and Training Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. 

Dr. Willis also provides expert witness services to employment law attorneys. She frequently speaks at national and international conferences on pertinent topics. She is a member of the Education and Training Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

She is an active member in many professional associations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Society of Human Resource Management, American Society of Training & Development, Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Florida Speaker's Association.

Pat Maher, D.Crim., co-author of the texts, is a former Lt., with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. He also has written extensively on the Assessment Center Method and has written a Manual for Assessors. The Manual is designed for those who wish to become Assessors. Pat also teaches for the Calif. Commission on Peace Officer’s Standards of Training in their Supervisory Leadership course. Pat is the President of Personnel and Organization Development Consultants, 714-827-1780. He conducts Assessment Centers for public safety agencies as well as for businesses. Pat has been an instructor with the POST Supervisory Leadership Institute and is an active member of the International Congress on the Assessment Center Method. Rick, Pat and Linsey have been presenters with the International Congress' annual conferences. Rick also has presented "Succession Planning for Public Safety Agencies," which is linked to his PhD program.

"Practicing your supervisory and or managerial skills may not make you perfect, but it will make you better!" Dennis Joiner, Assessment Center professional.

There are those who make things happen…
There are those who watch things happen…
Then there are those who wonder, “What happened?”
Which are you?

And what will they say about YOU in your assessment center or promotional interview panel?
 

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