Send us a text

Leadership gets real when the stakes are high and the cameras roll. We sit down with retired deputy chief and author John Blackledge to unpack what it takes to build courageous, effective leaders in policing and beyond—leaders who make the right call even when it costs them. John’s path spans patrol, undercover narcotics, internal affairs, academy instruction, and senior command, and he’s now paired those decades of experience with private sector leadership to create a practical, no-fluff manual for supervisors at every level.

We dig into the foundation: know yourself, then lead with influence rather than relying on rank. John shares how authenticity beats performance, why “correct decisions will not make you popular,” and what separates real courage from performative toughness.

Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders:

Get The Book
Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates
Join Us At Our Website
Get Our 'Courageous Leadership' Training
Join The Courageous Police Leadership Alliance

Send us a text

Legacy is a common theme in leadership, but it's rarely seen. In this episode, Dr. Travis Yates explores the legacy of LAPD Captain Rudy De Leon through the lived experience of his granddaughter, Brandi Stansbury-Moody.

For more information on Captain De Leon, read our article here.

Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders:

Get The Book
Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates
Join Us At Our Website
Get Our 'Courageous Leadership' Training
Join The Courageous Police Leadership Alliance

Send us a text

We share a candid reminder that gratitude is not fluff, it’s a force that makes leadership steadier. By reframing complaints through global perspective and practical habits, we show how leaders gain clarity, courage, and momentum.

• the pull of negativity and how it distorts judgment
• the what if lens: life happening for you
• global context of odds and freedoms
• law enforcement examples that sharpen perspective
• practical gratitude habits for teams and leaders
• how gratitude makes tough problems simpler
• humility, stewardship, and clearer communication

“Join other courageous leaders at TravisYates.org.”

Join Our Tribe of Courageous Leaders:

Get The Book
Get Weekly Articles by Travis Yates
Join Us At Our Website
Get Our 'Courageous Leadership' Training
Join The Courageous Police Leadership Alliance