You Don’t Need a Title to Lead - Ked Wills | Ever Onward - Ep. 77

Ever Onward Podcast

What does it really mean to lead—at work, in your community, or in your own life—when no one’s handing you a title or giving you authority? True leadership isn’t about rank or recognition; it’s about character, consistency, and the impact you make when no one’s watching.
Colonel Ked Wills, who spent 30 years in law enforcement with his final seven years as Director of the Idaho State Police, knows this firsthand. For him, leadership was never about the badge – it was about who you are when the badge comes off.
Born and raised in Glenns Ferry as the son of a state trooper, Wills absorbed crucial life lessons that would shape his leadership journey. His father demonstrated how to make even difficult jobs seem like play while maintaining multiple responsibilities. His mother showed the value of lifelong learning by earning her master’s degree in her 40s while Wills was still in high school. These influences instilled a work ethic and curiosity that carried him through a distinguished career.
Wills takes us inside Idaho’s unique law enforcement culture, where collaboration and public trust create what he calls “the blurring of the badges.” Unlike neighboring states facing anti-police sentiment, Idaho’s law enforcement agencies enjoy remarkable public support – something Willis attributes to trust built over generations. “The public will only support law enforcement in so much as they trust law enforcement,” he explains, highlighting why maintaining that trust remained his top priority as director.
Perhaps most compelling is Wills’ candid discussion of officer wellness. With police officers experiencing between 400–700 traumatic incidents throughout their careers (compared to 2–5 for average citizens), the toll on mental health can be devastating. Wills reveals this sobering statistic: for every officer killed in the line of duty, approximately three take their own lives due to job-related stress.
His book, Lead Now: No Title Required, captures his leadership philosophy perfectly – true leadership begins long before promotion. “If you start acting like a leader, you don’t need the title,” Willis explains, “because if we’re promoting right, we’re promoting the person who already is a leader.”
Now in retirement, Wills hasn’t slowed down. Working internationally in South America with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, he’s helping transform road safety initiatives in Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina – bringing Idaho’s collaborative approach to countries where law enforcement has traditionally operated in silos.
Ready to unlock your own leadership potential—no title necessary? Listen now and learn how becoming the best version of yourself allows you to help others become their best.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Ked Willis (00:00:00)

2. Allquist Update: Rock Ridge Development (00:07:10)

3. Growing Up in Glens Ferry (00:08:50)

4. Career Path in Idaho State Police (00:18:10)

5. Law Enforcement Trust in Idaho (00:27:35)

6. Officer Wellness and Trauma Experience (00:36:28)

7. Leadership Lessons and Career Takeaways (00:43:10)

8. "Lead Now: No Title Required" Book (00:51:22)

9. Daily Routines and Retirement Work (00:52:11)