How do you lead when the stakes are measured in seconds? St. Louis Police Department SWAT Team Leader Mike Flatley joins host Nick Akers to unpack leadership under pressure—from earning a spot on an elite 18-operator unit to guiding Type-A professionals through training, operations, and recovery.
In this episode:
The unexpected path from business major to law enforcement
What it really takes to make SWAT (selection, standards, and reps)
Planning for hostage-rescue while executing daily search-warrant operations
Building trust with former military teammates and “leading from the front”
Training with embedded medics and coordinating in complex environments
Managing risk, stress, and family life—and why small morale moves matter
Mike’s simple rule for any leader: Do the job no one wants to do.
If you lead teams—on the street or in the boardroom—you’ll leave with practical lessons on preparation, humility, and resilience.
