The Trust Problem in Law Enforcement Teams—and How Leaders Can Solve It
Championship teams—whether on the field or in law enforcement—are built on one critical foundation: trust.
Without trust, teams falter, relationships break down, and missions fail.
In this episode of Elevate Your Call to Service, Mike and Cathy McIntosh are joined by special guest Chris McIntosh to explore how leaders can build trust within their teams and create high-performing, championship-level organizations.
Drawing from decades of law enforcement experience and lessons learned from championship sports teams, this episode dives into the key challenges law enforcement leaders face when trust is lacking—and provides actionable strategies to overcome them. Whether you’re leading a small shift or an entire agency, this episode offers the tools you need to create a culture of trust, collaboration, and excellence.
Key Themes for Law Enforcement Leaders:
1. The Role of Trust in Championship Teams
Why trust Is the foundation of high-performing teams in law enforcement and sports.
How trust impacts safety, collaboration, and results
2. The Challenges of building trust
How broken trust erodes teams
Why rebuilding trust takes time, effort, and consistency—but Is worth it.
3. Key Strategies to Build Trust In Teams
The importance of setting clear expectations and modeling consistency
How showing up as a dependable, trustworthy leader inspires trust and respect
Building trust through repetition, preparation, and leading through example
4. The Power of Culture and Leadership
How a strong team culture attracts top talent and improves recruitment
why leaders must set the tone for trust and accountability within their teams
5. Lessons From Sports Applied to Law Enforcement
Insights from championship sports teams and how they translate to law enforcement
Why preparation, rehearsal, and small wins are critical to building trust and confidence
Quotable Insights from Episode 27:
"Championship teams are built on trust, and so are championship agencies."
"Without trust, teams falter—whether on the field or in the field.”
“A leader’s job is to show up every day, model consistency, and prove they are trustworthy.”
“Broken teams can be rebuilt, but it takes time, discipline, and a leader who is willing to set the tone.”
“The way to build trust is to be trustworthy—your actions, not your words will inspire your team.”
If you’re ready to take control of your leadership reputation and build a lasting legacy, we invite you to schedule a free strategy meeting to learn more about our coaching program.
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