The 4 Communication Mistakes that Cripple a Leader’s Impact

Effective communication can elevate a leader—or quietly sabotage their influence.
In this episode of The Elevate Podcast, Mike and Cathy reveal the five communication mistakes that cripple leadership impact in law enforcement and public service. If your briefings go long, your messages get lost, or your team seems disengaged, the problem may not be motivation—it may be communication.

Drawing from Mike’s 40 years of experience in law enforcement and Cathy’s branding and human-behavior insight, this episode breaks down the patterns that confuse teams, derail trust, and cause leaders to misjudge who is ready for promotion. You’ll learn why clarity consistently outperforms complexity, how to avoid rambling or over-explaining, and how to communicate in a way that drives action—not frustration.

What You’ll Learn:

The #1 communication mistake that leads to 2-hour meetings with no results

Why “sounding clever” backfires and creates operational confusion

How unclear expectations undermine morale and performance

The difference between helpful leadership illustrations and self-focused storytelling

How to communicate with purpose, direction, and follow-through

Episode Promise:
By the end of this conversation, you’ll be able to identify—and eliminate—the communication habits that weaken credibility and hinder performance. You’ll walk away with practical tools to bring more clarity, confidence, and consistency to your leadership, whether you supervise a team of three or an entire agency.

Perfect For:
Law enforcement leaders, supervisors, aspiring leaders, public safety professionals, and anyone committed to building trust, clarity, and influence on their team.

View our show notes at https://www.leleaders.com/elevate/law-enforcement-leadership-communication-mistakes