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They Told You to Slow Down. They Were Wrong.
“If you keep working that hard, you’re making us look bad.” I’ve heard that line too many times. And recently, I was stunned to hear it again—from a group of brand-new law enforcement graduates. Two decades later, the same tired mindset is still making the rounds:...
Small Lessons in the Mundane
There’s a lesson buried in the small moments of our lives. Often it goes unnoticed. We move through our days on autopilot—steady, predictable, and safe. We find comfort in the status quo. The same drive to work. The same order from Starbucks. The same routines that...
The War on Attention and the Need for Stillness
Every week, I send a message to my teams letting them know I’ll be offline for about two hours. During that time, I turn my phone off, lace up my skates, and play in a weekly hockey league. To some, it may sound silly. But for me, it’s sacred time. Time without the...
How You Play the Game: Why Character Beats the Scoreboard in Professional Life
“It’s not whether you win or lose—it’s how you play the game.”We all heard it growing up. On dusty ballfields, in echoing gymnasiums, and during locker room pep talks, that phrase shaped our earliest ideas of success. Effort mattered more than outcome. Grit mattered...
From Titan to Tombstone: Why Companies Die When Leaders Do Nothing
Leadership is not measured by titles or tenure. It’s measured by movement. And when that movement stops—so does relevance. Companies don’t die overnight. They rot slowly, from the inside out. Not because of one bad decision, but because of no decision at all. Not...
Stagnation Is a Choice: Why Public Safety Leaders Must Grow or Step Aside
Leadership is not a milestone you reach and rest on. It’s a standard you uphold every day. And in public safety, where decisions carry weight and consequences, that standard must be relentlessly sharpened. The problem is, too many leaders quietly stop growing. Not...
No Great Team Ignores the Fundamentals—Why Should You?
Every championship team shares one thing in common: they live and die by the fundamentals. No flashy tactic ever replaces flawless footwork, clean execution, and relentless discipline. In law enforcement, it’s no different. Success on the street starts with discipline...
Accountability Is Not a Punishment — It’s the Guardrail That Keeps Your Team on Track
We’ve been getting accountability wrong. In too many workplaces, “holding someone accountable” is code for punishing them. That’s not accountability — that’s discipline. And they’re not the same thing. What Accountability Really Means Real accountability is proactive,...
Checkpoint Me
Leadership isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about knowing when to show up. There was a time when I thought being CC’d on everything was good leadership. I wanted visibility. I wanted to stay in the loop. I wanted to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks. But...
What Motorcycling Taught Me About Command
Everyone talks about “command presence.” But what does it actually look like in the real world—outside of a classroom or crisis? You don’t need to ride a motorcycle to understand this. The road just happens to be where I learned one of my most valuable lessons in...
You Don’t Have to Lose it to Love It.
We talk a lot about burnout. We don’t talk enough about what we still have. You’re in the middle of something meaningful. But I’ve seen enough people walk away from the job—some by choice, others not—and almost all of them wish they’d appreciated it sooner. Not the...
Culture isn’t a Committee
In law enforcement, we tend to treat “culture” like it’s something abstract. A concept we assign to HR, address in an annual training, or delegate down the chain of command. Throw in a few laminated value cards, a mission statement on the wall, and check the box....
Want to Move Fast? Ride a Motorcycle—Slowly
The wind cuts across my neck as I lean into a curve, throttle steady, mind quiet. This is where I do my best thinking—inside a helmet, on the road. There’s a lot the world can teach you from the seat of a motorcycle—if you’re willing to listen. From understanding your...
The Subtle Art of Self-Sabotage
We are saboteurs by nature. Not rebels against a monarchy or an empire—but disruptors in our lives. Each day presents small, quiet moments with the potential to nudge us forward—personally, professionally, or creatively. Yet these opportunities often slip past us...
Are You Busy or Are You Productive?
As I walked through the convention center hallway, the cloud of dust in the air sent my sinuses into a frenzy. The noise of a banging hammer and the whirl of a drill told me what I hadn’t yet seen: this was a construction zone. The building was undergoing massive...
The Ride.
There is a kind of freedom that those who experience it know intimately. It is the union of man and machine, man and earth, man and himself. It is a freedom that cannot be replaced or replicated by any other means—the freedom of solo riding a motorcycle. The wind...
Find Your Passion—And Be Willing to Suffer for It
If you do something, let it be rooted in passion. But understand this: Passion, at its core, stems from a word that means suffering. So ask yourself—what are you willing to suffer for? For some, it's enduring months of grueling training to cross the finish line of a...
The ‘Go-To’ Danger
I’ve seen multiple organizations unintentionally hinder their own growth. A high-performance culture pushes some to succeed—while pushing others straight to burnout. In the race to rise to the top, there’s a hidden danger lurking behind success: the ‘go-to’ person....
The Art of Quiet Ambition: Why You Need to Ignore the Noise
"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom."-Lao Tzu "It is through wonder that men now begin and originally began to philosophize." - Aristotle Lao Tzu highlights that true wisdom comes from self-awareness rather than external...
The Case Against Experience
Every job seeker knows the frustration: you find an entry-level job posting that sounds perfect—until you see those dreaded words: “1–2 years of experience required.” We’ve all been there. Whether as a recent grad or someone new to an industry, you hit a wall that...
How to Strengthen Relationships by Applying Leadership Principles in Everyday Life
Matshona Dhliwayo once said, “An archer must never blame the target for missing it.” It’s a simple but powerful idea. It reminds us to look at our actions and choices instead of blaming others when things don’t go as planned. Too often, we take good advice and put it...
The Hats We Wear: A Commitment to Service
We wear many hats throughout our lives. Some of these hats are roles we choose, while others are roles that choose us. I see myself as a husband and father—a guardian; a hiker and non-profit founder—a healer; a trooper—a protector; and a writer and musician—a creator....
Using Empathy
I called to talk about business. As I usually do. When I called, I had my agenda of things I needed to discuss. There is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. As a man not keen on wasting others' time, I immediately dispensed with the formal pleasantries and...
A Simple Way to Lead Your Team
Leadership is about creating environments where people can thrive—not just as employees but as individuals. Yet, in today’s always-on work culture, we often forget the most straightforward truth: people need space to breathe, connect, and grow. That’s why I believe...
Letting Go for Increased Performance
In leadership circles, high performers often share a common hesitation: the fear of delegation. To these driven individuals, handing over a task may feel like relinquishing control or compromising quality. But what if we shifted this mindset to see delegation not as a...
The Leadership Tax of Turning a Blind Eye
Ever notice how life's lessons sometimes come from the most ordinary places? Recently, I read Seth Godin's blog about his take on car dents. You know the scenario - you get a massive dent in your car, and there's no question about what to do. You're at the body shop...
Why Does Your Company Exist?
Have you ever thought about why your organization exists? It may seem like an odd question, but it’s a vital one. Just ask Satya Nedella, CEO of Microsoft. The moment he took charge, he posed this question to his team not just for introspection but as a fascinating...
Rethinking Leadership Development for Entrepreneurs and Executives
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a seasoned executive, or a leader in public safety, understanding how to cultivate leadership skills internally can be the one competitive advantage you are missing. I remember years ago touring The Ohio State University's football...
Unmasking Your Inner Demons
We talk about ghosts. Not the past. Not our departed friends, family, or loved ones. But, the ghosts we create in our minds. The little goblins that give us doubt. They suck the joy away from us. They make us overthink. Ghosts stop us from living. Full stop. The only...
Be a Better Leader and Parent.
I've posted here about my journey as a parent. At the time of writing this (July 2024), my little ones are still toddlers. I truly believe that having them has made me a better person. But what makes a great leader? Is it their ability to inspire a team or their knack...
Make the hard things easy
Lately, I've noticed that there is an influx of 'hacks' from 'productivity influencers.' There seems to be a shortcut for nearly everything on earth. Some way to take an easy way out, regardless of the need. Shaving seconds here, shaving seconds there, trying to make...
Unlock Your Potential Through Strategic Awareness in Everyday Life
Life presents us with opportunities to learn and grow every day. However, the lessons often hide in plain sight, waiting for us to notice. By maintaining our awareness, we can uncover the hidden lessons and grow. During my typical morning commute, the sky was...
Step Away From Productivity: Embrace Strategic Thinking
Businesses make plans. Groups, non-profits, schools, or any functioning club, organization, and gathering of people all come up with plans. They develop a vision. All of these organizations take time out of their otherwise productive time to sit and think. The...
Mastering Workplace Innovation: Overcoming Resistance and Inspiring Change
Ever felt like your innovative thoughts are crashing against an impenetrable wall at your workplace? Like you're scaling Everest to persuade your colleagues? You're in good company. That nagging frustration and sense of being undervalued—it's both accurate and...
Discovering Your Ikigai: Unleashing Purpose and Resilience for First Responders
Have you ever wondered, "Is there a method to thriving amidst the chaos?" or "How can I keep going when the going gets impossibly tough?" Well, believe it or not, there is an approach designed for just that. Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being."...
Ask the Right Questions: Build the Team
Leadership is often viewed through the narrow lens of productivity and performance. We see our team members for a fraction of their day, judge them based on metrics and deliverables, and attempt to mold their behavior to fit our expectations. But what if we're asking...
Embracing Perspectives: A Path to Deeper Understanding and Harmony
While scrolling on my phone, I stumbled upon a captivating podcast. It was a biography of Benjamin Franklin, a subject that might take time to spark interest. However, the podcast's unique and unexpected perception of Franklin intrigued me, drawing me in. The hosts of...
Leaving a Legacy: Small Acts, Big Impact in Daily Life
Seated in this bustling airport, the stark contrast of the people I've encountered here is striking. From the harried business traveler to the boisterous vacationing family, airports serve as a microcosm of human behavior. Yet, what truly captivates me is the way...
Understanding the Art of Productivity: Prioritizing Practice Over Perfection to Elevate Your Performance
The emergency response and leadership sectors are environments where the volume of training versus its quality is a constant dialogue. What if I told you that focusing on the bulk (quantity) of training, rather than the perfection of training, could enhance your skill...
Unlocking Your True Potential Evolving from Fluid to Crystallized Intelligence
Ever feel like your edge is slipping away as you get older? You're not alone. While we're all familiar with the trajectory of our physical abilities, our mental acuity also goes through its peaks and valleys. What if I told you there's a way to survive and thrive...
Redefining Deserve and Responsibility
A few years ago, I tackled the concept of what people deserve a blog post. It’s a topic that stirs plenty of emotions, swinging between the joy of earned rewards and the bitterness of perceived injustices. Think about it—didn't get that promotion you thought you...
Why Googling ‘How To Be A Good Leader’ Won’t Help
It's pretty standard for leaders or aspiring leaders to strive for improvement. Leadership is a skill that many may not have initially anticipated needing. Often, individuals are hired with the primary goal of being effective contributors to their organizations. Over...
Embrace Preparedness: Turn Obstacles into Opportunities for Leadership Success
Preparedness isn't just for the 'preppers' out there. It is for the leaders and aspiring leaders. I was listening to a podcast from the former CEO of Netflix. He was talking about company culture and how Netflix turned an idea into a successful company. What struck...
Embracing Collaborative Problem-Solving for Organizational Success
Here is an unpopular fact: your idea isn't always the best. In the modern workplace, we are problem solvers. Ironically, a lot of the problems we are trying to solve are self-induced. Yet, that is the way of organizational culture. Problem-solving is a function of...
Showing Up for Your Team
Effective leadership is often perceived as a collection of skills and qualities necessary for guiding a team or organization toward success. However, my personal experiences have enlightened me that the most crucial aspect of effective leadership is something much...
Elevating Leadership: The 3 C’s of Performance Improvements Through Insightful Questions
Effective leadership is akin to a multifaceted puzzle. Each piece represents a critical skill or quality—communication, empathy, resilience, to name a few—that, when properly assembled, can unlock unparalleled team performance and organizational success. Among these...
The Transformative Power of Immersive Learning and the Pitfalls of Shortcuts
We all inherently understand that actual growth in life springs from our journey to achieve something meaningful. This could be reaching a physical destination through the adventure of travel or acquiring new knowledge and skills that enrich our minds and souls....
Building Authentic Connections at Work: The Antidote to the Loneliness Epidemic
In an era when work-life boundaries are blurring and professional demands often spill over into our personal lives, the sanctity of social connections in the workplace has never been more crucial. Yet, paradoxically, reports of loneliness in the workplace are on the...