‘The leader must own it’: General Robert Neller on ethical leadership and adaptability

In this special episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence welcomes General Robert B. Neller, the 37th commandant of the United States Marine Corps, to discuss leadership, decision-making, team building and the evolving challenges facing public safety professionals.

General Neller shares his perspective on leading under pressure, making critical decisions, and fostering an ethical and resilient organizational culture. With decades of military leadership experience, he provides actionable insights that apply not only to the armed forces but also to EMS, law enforcement, and fire and rescue personnel.

Throughout the episode, General Neller emphasizes the importance of training, adaptability and the role of leadership in guiding organizations through times of uncertainty. He highlights the significance of ethical leadership, followership and how leaders must take responsibility for failures while empowering their teams.

The discussion also explores the impact of emerging technologies, such as AI and body-worn cameras on public safety, and the crucial need for ongoing training despite staffing and funding challenges. This thought-provoking conversation delivers key takeaways for current and aspiring leaders across all branches of public safety.

15 leadership quotes from General Robert B. Neller

• “Making decisions is part of your training — you’re expected to make them, and you have to do it in critical moments.”

• “If I could wave a magic wand, I’d put everyone at 110% staffing so they had the time to train properly.”

• “The leader’s job is to set the example — how you carry yourself, how you treat others, and how you communicate matters.”

• “Good leaders anticipate. They don’t just react — they look ahead and keep their teams informed.”

• “Followership isn’t blind obedience; it’s about understanding the mission, contributing ideas, and executing effectively.”

• “Accepting responsibility is a core tenet of leadership — when things go wrong, the leader must own it.”

• “Change is inevitable, and good leaders learn to embrace it while preparing their people for what’s ahead.”

• “Take care of yourself — physically, mentally and morally — because leadership starts with personal discipline.”

• “As a leader, you have to accept that sometimes you’ll make the right call, and things still won’t go your way — that’s part of the job.”

• “You have to train and rehearse because time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted.”

• “The worst thing you can hear as a leader is that ‘you don’t care’ — your people need to know that you do.”

• “To build culture and cohesion, you set the example — you take the physical fitness test, you wear the uniform properly, and you carry yourself the right way.”

• “Good leadership is not about the complete suppression of ideas — if you have time, get input, because someone might have a better idea than you.”

• “If you have good followers, being a leader is significantly easier — if you don’t, it’s a challenge every day.”

• “Change is inevitable — if you’re not evolving,