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Cam Sanchez
Santa Barbara Chief of Police
Self-Esteem: How to seek it and keep it
Self-esteem, as defined by the National Association for Self-Esteem, is the experience of being capable of meeting life’s challenges and being worthy of happiness. Steve Stewart alluded to many experiences in his life that assisted him in gaining high self-esteem. These areas were re-caped after his speech by Betty Hatch, the founder of the council.
His favorite teacher was Mrs. Salis. She ended every class with the same statement: You are all special children. You can all be what you want to be. But you must work hard and treat others with respect. You will always be special to me.” This is but one of the personal stories Cam Sanchez shared at the Schott Center on Friday.
The Santa Barbara Council for Self-Esteem has been having guest presenters at their meetings since 1989. We ask local or national, well known and successful individuals to tell us their personal story in the development of self-esteem--where they think theirs came from, how they nurture it and what they do when they are feeling down. The meetings are open to the public.
On Friday, June 11, Santa Barbara Chief of Police, Cam Sanchez, gave an exciting, humorous, motivating and moving speech on his process from being a very shy child to learning the techniques of developing and teaching self-esteem. The theme began and ended with the importance of giving sincere praise to others. Chief Sanchez has 300 employees. Since arriving in Santa Barbara, he has selected one, at random, everyday to meet with and share his praise and appreciation. He knows every employee by name!
The above is one demonstration of his discipline and the manner that he treats others, shows respect and makes his employees feel special and important. He teaches leadership by encouraging people to become good followers. He keeps a journal recording what is working and needs to be worked on in his life. He remains humble remembering where he came from.
Chief Sanchez shared multiple stories from his experiences of being placed in school for his first day in the United States and not knowing one word of English to why he calls his mother every day and how he always answered his parents with “Sir” and “Mam”. His father called him every Monday morning at 8 am to “lift him up” until week he died. That week his wife took over the job, having been requested by to husband to handle the weekly calls for him after he died.
When out of uniform, if someone asks his profession, the Chief says that he is a “Police Officer for the City of Santa Barbara assigned to the Chief’s office”! This humility continues in his determination to speak to people in their own language. He also “apologizes in advance” to Olivia, his wife of 26 years, just because he’s sure he will make at least one mistake during the week. . Following his own suggestion to us, he dates his wife. Friday night they were going to a dinner and to the movie, Shreik 2.
Our Chief is a proud father, with four daughters. The first is getting married soon. He says his credit cards are already “shaking”. His soon to be son-in-law recently praised the Sanchez household noting that the home is filled with mutual respect, encouragement, family activities and calm (Cam is seldom angry and cries when he needs to). His other favorite pastimes include reading positive literature, uplifting letters, playing golf, camping and even watching cartoons.
Cam Sanchez presented himself with humor, using his professional speaking ability to share as well as model the organization, discipline, humility and gratitude for city and country that helps to create one’s self-esteem. He’s sure we can “Lift ourselves up” “by lifting others up”, he does it every day.
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