The Ego Audit: Leading with Self-Awareness from the Front Lines to the C-Suite with Dr. Ron Camacho

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The fastest way to lose trust isn’t a bad strategy—it’s a bruised ego that stops you from listening.

In this episode, we sit down with North Charleston Chief of Police and FBI National Academy graduate Dr. Ron Camacho. We’re pulling back the curtain on the hidden “ego tax” that leaders pay every day through small, subtle communication choices that erode credibility and kill psychological safety.

Chief Camacho gets remarkably honest about why therapy—not tactical training—was his real ego check. He shares how confronting his own anger and blind spots transformed him from a "command-and-control" SWAT commander into a leader who understands that "many minds are better than one" is the ultimate tactical advantage.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The Ego Audit: The exact questions you should ask yourself before walking into any high-stakes meeting.
• The "Newest Voice" Advantage: How to create an environment where the best idea wins, regardless of rank or tenure.
• Empathy as a Tool: Why moving away from command-and-control isn’t "soft"—it’s how you actually win the community and the room.
• The Power of the Sincere Apology: Why owning your missteps—backed by real accountability—is the fastest way to raise your professional stature.

If you are ready to stop needing to be right and start leading with presence, this conversation will give you the language and habits you need.

Subscribe to The Communicative Leader and join the conversation.

What is one ego-driven habit you are going to challenge this week? Let us know in the reviews.

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I've poured all my best work into my newest book, Amplifying Your Leadership Voice: From Silent to Speaking Up. If today's episode resonated with you, I know the book will be a powerful tool. You can order it now! 

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