The Cost of Ego. The Power of Change.

Guest: Rob Patton | Retired Sacramento County Sheriff's Lieutenant, Founder of Cro-Magnon Leadership, Host of The Good CARMA Podcast,and Author of Mediocrity Is for Suckers

What does it take to recognize your mistakes, take ownership of your decisions, and become a better leader?

In Episode 32 of the Faces of Leadership Podcast, presented by Command Presence Training, host Michael Warren welcomes Rob Patton, a retired Sacramento County Sheriff's lieutenant with more than 21 years of law enforcement experience, for a candid conversation about adversity,accountability, personal growth, and the people who shape our lives.

Rob's career spans corrections, patrol, investigations, SWAT, the FBI gang task force, internal affairs, and supervision. Today, he works with law enforcement agencies throughout California as a senior law enforcement consultant with the California Affiliated Risk Management Authorities (CARMA). He is also the founder of Cro-Magnon Leadership and author of the upcoming memoir, Mediocrity Is for Suckers.

Drawing from Rob's personal experiences and the stories shared in his book, Michael and Rob explore how early influences, difficult decisions, professional setbacks, and meaningful mentorship can shape the trajectory of a person's life and career. From a high school football coach whose recognition changed Rob's outlook to a professional wake-up call that forced him to confront his own behavior, this conversation examines the difference between simply holding people accountable and helping them become better.‍

In this episode, Michael and Rob discuss:

• The Power of Recognition: Why acknowledging someone's effort and potential can have a lasting impact on their confidence, motivation, and future.
• Accountability and Personal Responsibility: How taking ownership of mistakes creates opportunities for meaningful change and stronger leadership.
• The Influence of Mentorship: Why great leaders recognize potential in others, offer guidance, and have difficult conversations when necessary.
• Ego, Adversity, and Reinvention: How professional setbacks can become defining moments when individuals choose growth over bitterness.
• Leadership Beyond Rank: Why developing leadership skills begins long before receiving a formal title or promotion.
• The Importance of Difficult Conversations: How speaking up, addressing concerns, and genuinely caring about others can influence both performance and officer safety.
• Breaking the Cycle of Self-Sabotage: How recognizing personal patterns and blind spots can help individuals make better decisions.
• Leadership as Risk Mitigation: Why effective leadership, sound training, and organizational accountability are essential to protecting personnel, agencies, and communities.

One of the most thought-provoking questions Michael raises is whether employees succeed because of the leadership they receive, in spite of that leadership, or sometimes even to spite it. Rob emphasizes that leadership is a skill that must be developed and practiced. He also shares why his upcoming book is not about pointing fingers at others, but about examining his own decisions, acknowledging his shortcomings, and encouraging readers to recognize their potential for change.‍

Our past experiences may shape us, but the decisions we make moving forward determine who we become.

Whether you're a law enforcement professional, supervisor,executive, trainer, or someone committed to personal development, this episode offers valuable perspectives on accountability, resilience, mentorship, and the responsibility leaders have to invest in others.

About Our Guest: Rob Patton

Rob Patton is a retired Sacramento County Sheriff's lieutenant with more than two decades of experience across numerous law enforcement assignments, including patrol, investigations, SWAT, specialized enforcement,and leadership. Following his law enforcement career, Rob served with California POST and now works with law enforcement agencies throughout California to strengthen organizational practices and reduce operational risk. He is the founder of Cro-Magnon Leadership and author of Mediocrity Is for Suckers, an upcoming memoir exploring adversity, accountability, personal transformation, and the choices that shape our lives.

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Be the leader you wish you had.