What Would you do if you were in my shoes?

Every morning when I lace up my shiny shoes, I’m reminded that leadership isn’t about where you stand; it’s about how far ahead you’re thinking.

Years ago, someone told me, “Dress for the position you aspire to achieve, not the position you hold today.” At that time, our police chief wore corfam uniform shoes, or “shiny shoes,” as we called them. I wanted to one day become Chief of Police, so I started wearing them too.

Those shoes became more than part of my uniform. They became a symbol of vision, accountability, and next-level thinking.

Thinking One Level Up

When I was a line-level officer, I tried to think like a sergeant. As a sergeant, I tried to think like a major. And as a major, I made decisions as if I were the chief. That mindset wasn’t about pretending; it was about preparing.

Even today, as Chief of Police for the City of Brookhaven, I challenge myself to think like our City Manager and elected officials when forming strategy or making decisions. This isn’t about being anyone’s puppet. It’s about being a next level leader. It means taking responsibility for the organization’s success, not just your own.

True leadership isn’t about authority; it’s about awareness, accountability, and alignment.

Everyone Is a Leader

Leadership doesn’t start with a title; it starts with a mindset. Every member of an organization influences its culture, morale, and outcomes. Whether you lead a police department, manage a business team, or work on the front line, your decisions impact the whole.

At the Brookhaven Police Department, I’ve seen how this belief transforms people and performance. When individuals understand that leadership is not a rank but a responsibility, they begin to see themselves differently. They communicate better, solve problems proactively, and inspire others by example.

Next level leaders don’t wait for the promotion to start leading. They prepare for it every day.

It's also why I coach people well before they hold the title — leadership readiness starts long before the promotion does.

Emotional Intelligence + Growth Mindset

Two traits define next level leaders: emotional intelligence (EQ) and a growth mindset.

Emotional intelligence helps us understand ourselves and others. It shapes how we communicate, handle conflict, and build trust. A growth mindset pushes us to see challenges as opportunities rather than threats.

In Brookhaven, we’ve embedded these skills into leadership development, from promotional assessments to coaching and mentorship. These are not “soft skills.” They are strategic skills that build connection, retention, and results.

Leaders with high EQ don’t just manage people. They develop them. They listen before they lead, collaborate instead of command, and focus on the greater good rather than individual recognition.

Shared Responsibility, Shared Success

One of the greatest tests of leadership is how we respond when things go wrong. Next level leaders don’t deflect blame or protect their egos. They share responsibility. They coach, correct, and move forward together.

In any organization, success and accountability must be collective. When people refuse to throw each other under the bus, they build trust that lasts. When they ask, “How does this help the organization?” instead of “How does this affect me?”, the entire culture shifts.

Shared accountability creates shared strength.

The Bigger Picture

Next level leadership isn’t exclusive to policing; it applies everywhere. In business, education, nonprofits, and public service, the principle is the same: when we focus on the success of the organization, our own success follows.

As I reflect on my journey from officer to chief, my shiny shoes have come to represent more than ambition. They remind me that leadership is a daily choice to think bigger, act smarter, and care deeper.

When we think one level up, we don’t just grow our careers. We grow our people, our teams, and our communities.

So I’ll ask you: What would you do if you were in my shoes? How are you thinking one level up in your own organization?

This 'one level up' mindset — paired with real emotional intelligence and a growth mindset — is exactly what I help clients build in executive coaching. Whether you're preparing for a promotion you haven't gotten yet or already in the role and trying to close the gap between where you are and where you need to be, that's the work we do together.

Brandon Gurley is the Chief of Police for the City of Brookhaven, Georgia, and a passionate advocate for emotionally intelligent, people-first leadership.

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