What if the best leaders aren't the ones who avoid crises, but the ones who prepare for them before they happen?

In this episode, attorney, leadership consultant, retired military officer, and author Conan Higgins shares how decades of experience in the military, law enforcement, and the legal profession shaped his approach to crisis leadership. From responding to life-or-death situations to advising organizations through complex challenges, Conan explains why preparation, emotional intelligence, and strong relationships are the foundation of effective leadership.

Conan also discusses the inspiration behind his book, The Maverick's Blueprint: Crisis Leadership for an Unstable World, why every entrepreneur should develop an early warning system for their business, and how the relationships we build before a crisis often determine how well we navigate it when it arrives.

[00:02:45] What He Does and Who He Serves

Attorney, leadership consultant, retired Army officer, and former law enforcement officer.
Helps organizations prepare for and respond to complex crises.
Advises leaders on risk management, crisis response, and organizational resilience.
Believes leadership begins long before a crisis ever unfolds.

[00:06:30] Learning Leadership Through Service

Reflects on lessons from military service and law enforcement.
Explains how leading under pressure shaped his decision-making.
Learned that trust is built long before it's tested.
Says leadership is earned through consistency and service.

[00:12:00] Why Relationships Matter in a Crisis

Strong relationships create confidence when difficult decisions must be made.
Trust allows teams to communicate honestly during uncertainty.
Explains why credibility cannot be built in the middle of a crisis.
Believes people always remember how leaders made them feel during difficult moments.

[00:18:30] Solving Problems Before They Become Emergencies

Encourages leaders to identify risks before they become crises.
Shares examples of organizations that avoided major setbacks through preparation.
Explains why awareness is more valuable than reacting quickly.
Says successful leaders pay attention to small warning signs.

[00:25:00] The Value of Emotional Intelligence

Explains why emotional intelligence is essential during high-pressure situations.
Learned to read people before focusing on solving problems.
Understanding people often reveals the real challenge.
Believes empathy strengthens both leadership and decision-making.

[00:31:00] Lessons From Years of Experience

Reflects on the importance of learning from every assignment and every challenge.
Encourages leaders to capture lessons instead of simply moving on.
Says experience only becomes valuable when we intentionally reflect on it.
Believes growth comes through thoughtful evaluation.

[00:38:00] Why Relationships Require Consistency

Shares why checking in with people shouldn't only happen when something is needed.
Believes meaningful relationships are built through generosity and mutual support.
Says the strongest professional relationships naturally become trusted friendships.
Explains why investing in people always pays long-term dividends.

[00:45:00] Giving Before Asking

Describes healthy relationships as a continual exchange of giving and receiving.
Explains why genuine check-ins often lead to meaningful conversations.
Shares how trusted relationships become valuable sources of advice during difficult seasons.
Says crises become easier to navigate when you're surrounded by people you trust.

[00:46:30] The Story Behind His Book

Wrote The Maverick's Blueprint: Crisis Leadership for an Unstable World after stepping away from his doctoral dissertation.
Wanted the book to feel like a conversation rather than a textbook.
Focuses on practical leadership lessons people can apply immediately.
Encourages readers to recognize the value of their own life experiences.

[00:50:00] Price Versus Cost

Explains why investing in preparation is far less expensive than recovering from failure.
Shares a consulting example where a risk assessment prevented far greater losses.
Encourages leaders to think beyond immediate expenses.
Says understanding the true cost of inaction changes every decision.

[00:53:00] Building an Early Warning System

Introduces his DETECT Framework for identifying warning signs before crises escalate.
Says most crises leave clues long before they become emergencies.
Encourages leaders to listen closely to experts and frontline team members.
Believes preparation begins by learning what others are already seeing.

[00:56:00] Meaningful Action Over Busy Activity

Explains that activity isn't the same as progress.
Encourages organizations to continually evaluate communication, stakeholder alignment, and resource challenges.
Says leaders should develop systems that help them identify problems early.
Believes thoughtful preparation creates confident decision-makers.

[00:58:00] Slowing Down to Appreciate the Journey

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