The document discusses the Ripple Effect, which is defined as the direct aftermath caused by one solitary action or inaction. It provides the example of James Earl Ray, who escaped from prison in 1967 and assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, demonstrating how one person's actions can have wide-reaching consequences. The document notes that the Ripple Effect is used by TDCJ to create policies, evaluate critical incidents, and serve as a learning tool. Both positive and negative Ripple Effects of a leader's actions are discussed.

1. The Ripple Effect

2. Performance Objectives
• The learner will be able to define the Ripple
Effect.
• Identify the importance of understanding the
Ripple Effect.
• The learner will understand how the Ripple Effect
is present in everyday actions or inactions.
• Why we act is not the question, what happens
after we act is thought we seek today.

3. Definition
• Ripple Effect – The direct aftermath caused by
one solitary action or inaction.
• “A small change at one point in a complex
system can have large effects elsewhere.”
– Albert Einstein

4. Mr. Ray
Attributes
• Convicted in 1961 of Armed
Robbery, sentenced to 25
years in Missouri State
Penitentiary.
• Carried out two purposely
failed escape attempts
within 6 years, all attempts
he hid inside the prison
walls.
• Finally escaped on April 23,
1967, by hiding inside a
bread delivery truck.

5. James Earl Ray - Continued
Ripple effect #1 Ripple Effect #2
• Due to previous escape • On April 4, 1968, James Earl
attempts being within the Ray assassinated Martin
prison walls, Prison Officials Luther King Jr.
searched all 48 acres of the
prison grounds for several
days before declaring James
Earl Ray an escapee.

6. What does TDCJ use the Ripple Effect
for?
• The creation and adaptation of new policies and
procedures.
• Evaluation of a critical incident, for the purpose of
locating key components in the cause of the incident.
• Learning tools. 
• “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat
it.” – Sir Edmund Burke

7. Positive Features of the Ripple Effect.
• Your action can cause another to act in a more
positive and professional manner.
• Colin Powell said, “Perpetual optimism is a
force multiplier. The ripple effect of a leader’s
enthusiasm and optimism is awesome”
• (Newly assigned Officers)

8. Summary
• The Ripple Effect is aftermath of an action or
inaction.
• The Ripple Effect is utilized for evaluation and
learning.
• The Ripple Effect can be evident in everyday
actions, which cause a reaction.
• Questions?