The Faces of Leadership, presented by the Command Presence Leadership Institute, believes that leadership is about two things – people and action. Leaders from across society are interviewed to discover what drives them, what makes them effective, and what the impact is of the leadership they provide.
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Experience, Evolution, and Impact
Great leaders don’t stop learning when they earn the title—or when they leave it behind. Staying relevant requires a continued commitment to learning, evolving, and finding new ways to make an impact.
In Episode 31 of the Faces of Leadership Podcast, host Michael Warren welcomes Craig Hamilton, a law enforcement training leader, educator, and public safety executive with more than 30 years of experience in the profession.
Craig currently serves as Director of Training for Blue Line Solutions and as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. His career has spanned patrol, academy leadership, command-level service, higher education, statewide program development, and law enforcement training. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Police and Deputy Director of Public Safety at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and as Director of the Cleveland State Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Together, Michael and Craig explore the lessons that come from a career spent developing officers, instructors, and leaders—and why some of the most important leadership lessons have little to do with rank.
They discuss Craig’s early work building and leading a law enforcement academy, the value of surrounding yourself with talented people,and why effective training requires more than transferring information. From peer leadership and instructor credibility to modeling the behaviors we expect from others, the conversation examines the influence trainers and leaders carry whether they recognize it or not.
The conversation also explores the responsibility law enforcement professionals have to continue evolving as the profession changes. Michael and Craig discuss officer safety, legal knowledge, emotional intelligence,organizational culture, Below 100, and the importance of remaining a student throughout your career.
Whether you're an officer, trainer, supervisor, command-level leader, or someone whose formal law enforcement career is nearing its end, Episode 31 challenges a simple assumption: your opportunity to contribute does not end when your position changes.
Impact may look different throughout a career. The responsibility to keep learning, developing others, and staying relevant remains.
In this episode:
• Why leadership can begin long before rank or formal authority
• The role peer influence plays in developing stronger officers and organizations
• Why trainers must model the behaviors they expect from others
• Lessons from Craig’s experience leading a law enforcement training academy
• How legal knowledge, communication, and emotional intelligence contribute to oficer safety
• Why training must continue to evolve alongside the profession
• The connection between leadership, culture, accountability, and officer safety
• How Below 100 continues to influence Craig’s approach to training and leadership
• Why lifelong learning matters at every stage of a law enforcement career
• Finding new ways to contribute and remain relevant after retirement
Throughout the conversation, Craig and Michael also explore mentorship, instructor development, the responsibility of being visible as a leader, and the value of learning from the people around you. Craig shares lessons from more than three decades in law enforcement and explains why his work today remains grounded in a simple purpose: helping officers make better decisions, become stronger leaders, and go home safely.
Episode 31 is a reminder that leadership is not confined to a position or a particular stage of your career. If you want to continue making an impact, you have to continue learning, evolving, and finding ways to remain relevant.
Faces of Leadership
Moral Leadership is a Force Multiplier
In this insightful episode of the Faces of Leadership, host Michael Warren welcomes Colonel Grayson Story to discuss his incredible journey through more than 30 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. As a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Colonel Story recounts pivotal moments from his military career, including his assignment during the Iraq War, his leadership approach, and the invaluable life lessons he has learned. They explore topics such as the importance of team cohesion, shared hardships, maintaining moral courage, and the profound responsibility of leadership. Reflecting on both historical and recent global conflicts, Colonel Story provides a unique perspective on strategic planning and the essential human factors in military operations. This episode is not only a tribute to his service but also a deep dive into the essence of leadership and camaraderie.
Earn the Trust
Join host Michael Warren as he welcomes Senior Director Brian Uridge, with over three decades of experience in law enforcement, healthcare, security, and fire service. They dive into Brian’s unique leadership journey, from his start at Kalamazoo Public Safety to his current role at the University of Michigan Healthcare System. They discuss the challenges of merging diverse cultures, the importance of trust and vulnerability in leadership, and the specific nuances of community policing in a healthcare setting. Learn about the critical balance between safety and customer service in an environment where 73% of workplace violence occurs. With engaging anecdotes, actionable leadership lessons, and invaluable insights, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring and current leaders.
For Those Who Follow Behind You
In this episode Michael Warren delves into the essence of leadership with David Elola, Director of Statewide Training at the Tennessee Corrections Institute and Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army Reserve. David shares his journey from seeking stability through enlisting in the Army to becoming a highly regarded leader and master instructor. The conversation covers pivotal moments that shaped his leadership style, the importance of mentorship, and the significance of trust and training in developing future leaders. David also discusses the innovative leadership training programs he's spearheading at TCI, emphasizing the need for continuous development and the impact of strong leadership across various levels and industries.
Out of Your Comfort Zone
Join Michael Warren as he interviews David Snively, a seasoned public safety professional and interim police chief with extensive experience in leadership roles. David shares insights on the importance of surrounding yourself with smarter people, the challenges of being brought in for organizational change, and the necessity of genuine, transparent communication. He discusses his unique leadership journey, the pivotal moments that defined his career, and how leaders can earn trust and legitimacy both internally and externally. David also highlights his work with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the impactful services provided by the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC).
Fly High or Crash and Burn - the Entrepreneur Life
Technology is everywhere – or so it seems. And one of the technologies that has burst onto the scene in the past few years is drones. Faces of Leadership welcomes an expert in drone technology, Skyfire Consulting CEO Matt Sloane, to talk about ways that the technology can make our communities safer and improve public safety performance.
Where Did All of the Workers Go?
Help Wanted! It seems that everywhere you look, businesses are looking for workers. Why is this? Where did all the workers go? Our guest this week, David Salters, can provide those answers AND can show what leadership can do to attract the necessary workforce.