Most leaders will never have to make decisions where lives are on the line. But at some point, every leader will be tested — and how they respond will define who they are.
Today’s guest is Chief Damon Simmons, the Chief of Police in Liberty Lake, whose career has been built in moments where leadership isn’t theoretical — it’s real, immediate, and carries weight most people will never fully understand. And it’s how Leaders Make Decisions When It Actually Matters through a Chief of Police’s Perspective. From serving in the Air Force to nearly two decades in law enforcement, Damon has learned what it takes to lead under pressure, build trust in both a department and a community, and carry responsibility that doesn’t turn off when the day ends.
In this conversation, we talk about leadership when it actually matters, the realities most people never see behind the badge, and what it takes to lead people through moments that demand more than just words.
#LeadershipUnderPressure #TrustAndLeadership #DecisionMaking #PoliceLeadership #TheBlueStileyPodcast
Show Flow:
02:04 Damon’s journey to becoming Chief of Police
03:36 The intense interview process + self-doubt
05:31 Landing the role + feeling the weight of responsibility
07:06 Mentors, calling other chiefs, and asking questions
10:24 “They don’t work for me, I work for them”
12:32 Hiring the right people + early recruiting lessons
15:09 Why Damon wrote a leadership book
19:09 Self-reflection as a leadership weapon
21:00 Why humility is required in leadership
24:17 Learning leadership from his barber
28:32 Spotting when someone on the team is struggling
32:55 Why Great Leaders Say “We” Instead of “I.”
36:33 Self-Reflection and Correcting Old Habits
40:17 How Policing Changes a Person Over Time
44:36 Supporting Officers Who Can’t Continue
50:18 Why Strong Leaders Still Need Help
56:08 Advice for Young Officers Entering the Profession
58:36 Serving a Community the Right Way
59:44 Final Thoughts
Welcome to The Blue Stiley Podcast, the ultimate destination for motivation, inspiration & personal growth. 🎙️💡 Subscribe to the channel if you love achieving your goals. Your future self will thank you!
The Blue Stiley Podcast is where real people share real stories about pushing past fear, owning their truth, and living life at the next level. Hosted by keynote speaker, author and personal growth expert Blue Stiley, each episode delivers honest conversations and hard-earned lessons to help you grow into who you’re meant to be.
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