How an Early Career in Law Enforcement Shaped My Leadership Approach

Leadership style is honed over time, and influences are often found in unexpected places. My own journey began in law enforcement, which might seem worlds away from my current role, but the leadership fundamentals I learned then are more relevant than ever in today’s business world.

One particular moment from those early years stands out. It was 2 a.m., and my partner and I were pulling up to a convenience store for much-needed coffee. Walking in, something felt off about the unfamiliar person behind the counter alongside the clerk we knew well. Their body language told a story that other coffee-deprived eyes might have missed. Reading those subtle cues – the ones that tell you something isn’t quite right – made all the difference that night, allowing us to prevent what could have been a tragic situation.

Fast forward to today. While I’m no longer dealing with those types of high-stakes scenarios, the ability to read situations and act decisively remains crucial. Drawing from my experiences in law enforcement, these are a few of the key principles that inform my approach to the role of CEO:

Principle 1: Read the Room, Even When There Is No Room

The ability to read a room in high-pressure situations was critical in law enforcement. In today’s hybrid or even fully in-person workplaces, this skill is just as essential, though the cues may differ. Whether it’s picking up on body language in person or decoding digital cues like the tone of emails or participation patterns in meetings, great leaders develop a sense for when their teams need support, recognition, or new challenges – regardless of the environment.

Principle 2: Trust Isn’t Optional, It’s Operational

Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have in leadership – it’s the operating system everything else runs on. We’ve built our workplace philosophy around this principle at Sikich. We hire exceptional people, equip them with the right tools and trust them to deliver excellence. No micromanagement. No unnecessary bureaucracy. Just clear expectations and the freedom to exceed them.

This approach consistently proves its worth. When people know they’re trusted to manage their work, they don’t just meet expectations, they more than exceed them. They take ownership not just of their tasks, but of our company’s broader mission and future.

Principle 3: Clear Communication Cuts Through Chaos

Clear communication builds strong teams, whether you’re coordinating time-sensitive operations or managing complex client projects. In our flexible work environment, this means being intentional about how we connect. Creating spaces for open dialogue. Ensuring every team member knows their voice matters. Maintaining transparency about our goals and challenges. When everyone understands not just what they’re doing but why it matters, they become true partners in driving transformation.

Principle 4: Anticipate and Adapt

In law enforcement, you learn to expect the unexpected and adapt quickly. This mindset is invaluable in today’s fast-paced business world. Successful teams aren’t just reactive, they’re proactive. They anticipate challenges, prepare for multiple scenarios and pivot quickly when needed.

Team members who feel empowered don’t wait for permission to innovate. They take the lead in solving problems because they know they have the support to do so. This creates a cycle of engagement, creativity and ownership, where people bring their whole selves to work because they know their contributions matter.

The Bottom Line

Leadership fundamentals are somewhat ubiquitous, whether you’re in the field or in the boardroom. Trust your people, stay alert to the signals they’re sending and create an environment where they can do their best work.

The best leaders don’t control, they enable. They don’t monitor, they empower. And most importantly, they understand that leadership isn’t about where you are physically. It’s about how you build trust, communicate clearly and support your team’s success.

When you do that, the rest will follow.

Read more Lessons from Leadership here.