Nick Akers & Mike Flatley
Leading In The Dark
<p>How do you lead when the stakes are measured in seconds? St. Louis Police Department SWAT Team Leader <strong>Mike Flatley</strong> joins host <strong>Nick Akers</strong> 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.</p>
<p>In this episode:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>The unexpected path from business major to law enforcement</p></li>
<li><p>What it really takes to make SWAT (selection, standards, and reps)</p></li>
<li><p>Planning for hostage-rescue while executing daily search-warrant operations</p></li>
<li><p>Building trust with former military teammates and “leading from the front”</p></li>
<li><p>Training with embedded medics and coordinating in complex environments</p></li>
<li><p>Managing risk, stress, and family life—and why small morale moves matter</p></li>
<li><p>Mike’s simple rule for any leader: <em>Do the job no one wants to do.</em></p></li>
</ul>
<p>If you lead teams—on the street or in the boardroom—you’ll leave with practical lessons on preparation, humility, and resilience.</p>
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