In high-stakes fields like law enforcement, the military, and government sectors, traditional command-and-control leadership doesn’t always inspire trust, loyalty, or long-term success. Learning to lead through influence—not authority—can transform how teams respond, grow, and perform.
In this powerful episode of the McAfee Institute Podcast, CEO Josh McAfee sits down with Daryl May, Law Enforcement Instructor, and Mike Bradshaw, Director of Customer Experience, to dive into the essential qualities of effective leadership when you're surrounded by strong-willed, Type A professionals.
Why Influence Is More Powerful Than Authority
True leaders know that influence is earned—not granted. In this episode, the team explores:
- Why rank doesn’t automatically equal respect
- How to build trust and credibility in high-pressure, mission-driven environments
- The critical role of emotional intelligence in gaining buy-in from peers and subordinates
- Strategies for de-escalating egos and aligning a team around a common purpose
Leading Type A Personalities
If you’ve ever tried leading a room full of leaders, you understand the challenge. Josh, Daryl, and Mike share stories from the field and actionable tips for leading:
- Without micromanaging
- By inspiring vs. commanding
- Through clarity, consistency, and empathy
- With vision and personal accountability
This episode is especially relevant for:
✅ Law enforcement supervisors
✅ Military NCOs and officers
✅ Government and intelligence team leads
✅ Private-sector leaders in mission-critical roles
Key Takeaways
💡 "Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge." – Josh McAfee
Some of the most impactful takeaways include:
- How to model the behavior you want to see
- Why humility and confidence are not opposites, but allies
- The importance of creating psychological safety in tactical environments
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode Here
Ready to Lead with Influence?
Leadership is a skill—and just like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and refined. If you're ready to step up and become the kind of leader others choose to follow, tune into the episode and explore our Certified Executive Leader (CEL) program to build your next-level leadership toolkit.
McAfee Institute is proud to develop today’s leaders in intelligence, investigations, and law enforcement. Subscribe for more insights, training, and thought leadership from our experts and faculty.
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