In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, we pause to reflect on the kind of leadership that truly lasts.

Leadership isn’t defined only by rank, results, or recognition—it’s revealed over time through patterns, consistency, and the way leaders invest in people. In this episode, Mike and Cathy explore what it means to take the long view of leadership and why everyday interactions often shape our greatest impact.

Prompted by recent moments of reflection and loss, this conversation looks honestly at how leaders influence others—sometimes in ways they never fully realize. Through real stories from law enforcement and public service, we unpack how trust is built, why belief from a leader matters, and how people-first leadership creates influence that continues long after a role or season ends.

You’ll hear why leadership impact is rarely about big moments—and almost always about presence, listening, consistency, and the courage to course-correct when needed.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why leadership is revealed over time, not in isolated moments

How small, intentional actions can have long-term influence

What people-first leadership looks like in high-pressure environments

Why it’s never too late to lead better and rebuild trust

How leadership at work carries into home, family, and community life

Whether you’re a seasoned leader, an emerging supervisor, or someone committed to serving others well, this episode offers a steady reminder: the way you lead today shapes how others grow tomorrow.

View our show notes at https://www.leleaders.com/elevate/leading-so-others-thrive-long-view-of-leadership

Effective communication can elevate a leader—or quietly sabotage their influence. In this episode of The Elevate Podcast, Mike and Cathy reveal the five communication mistakes that cripple leadership impact in law enforcement and public service. If your briefings go long, your messages get lost, or your team seems disengaged, the problem may not be motivation—it may be communication.

Drawing from Mike’s 40 years of experience in law enforcement and Cathy’s branding and human-behavior insight, this episode breaks down the patterns that confuse teams, derail trust, and cause leaders to misjudge who is ready for promotion. You’ll learn why clarity consistently outperforms complexity, how to avoid rambling or over-explaining, and how to communicate in a way that drives action—not frustration.

What You’ll Learn:

The #1 communication mistake that leads to 2-hour meetings with no results

Why “sounding clever” backfires and creates operational confusion

How unclear expectations undermine morale and performance

The difference between helpful leadership illustrations and self-focused storytelling

How to communicate with purpose, direction, and follow-through

Episode Promise: By the end of this conversation, you’ll be able to identify—and eliminate—the communication habits that weaken credibility and hinder performance. You’ll walk away with practical tools to bring more clarity, confidence, and consistency to your leadership, whether you supervise a team of three or an entire agency.

Perfect For: Law enforcement leaders, supervisors, aspiring leaders, public safety professionals, and anyone committed to building trust, clarity, and influence on their team.

View our show notes at https://www.leleaders.com/elevate/law-enforcement-leadership-communication-mistakes

Wellness & Resilience — Building Stronger Officers, Leaders, and Teams

Wellness and resilience are no longer “nice to have” in law enforcement—they are essential to protecting lives, families, and careers.

In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, we’re joined by Buddy Johnson and Vinny Greany, instructors in the FBI National Academy Associates Wellness and Resilience curriculum, for an honest and practical conversation about what resilience really looks like in law enforcement today.

Drawing from decades of service and leadership experience, Buddy and Vinny explain why resilience is not about “toughing it out,” but about learning how to withstand stress, recover intentionally, and grow stronger over time. They discuss the long-term cost of unresolved stress, the role of mindset and recovery, and why relationships and connection are critical to sustainable service.

You’ll also hear practical strategies that officers and leaders can begin using immediately—even in small or under-resourced agencies—including simple habits that shift culture, strengthen morale, and support mental, physical, and relational wellness.

Whether you’re an officer, supervisor, command staff member, or someone who supports a first responder, this episode offers grounded insight and actionable tools for navigating stress, building resilience, and leading well—on the job and at home.

Listen in for a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation that reframes strength, supports sustainability, and helps law enforcement professionals thrive beyond survival.

View our show notes at https://www.leleaders.com/elevate/law-enforcement-wellness-leadership