Name: Justin Atherton

Title: Professional Speaker and Founder

Organisation: Confidence Unchained

Justin Atherton is a leadership coach, professional speaker, and founder of Confidence Unchained. With over 18 years in law enforcement, including roles as a detective, SWAT breacher, and supervisor, Justin now empowers leaders to excel in high-stakes environments. Through his signature programs and TEDx talk, "The Suspect Within: How to Interrogate Yourself," Justin helps individuals and teams master impactful communication, build unshakable confidence, and lead with purpose.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Justin's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a leader is staying composed and decisive under pressure while empowering my team to do the same. In high-stakes environments, whether in law enforcement or corporate leadership, people look to you for guidance. Balancing the need to take charge with creating space for others to step up and take ownership has been a constant focus.

Another challenge has been managing the emotional side of leadership. Whether it’s dealing with my own stress or supporting others through theirs, staying grounded and maintaining mental and emotional control is crucial. It’s what allows me to lead with clarity and confidence, even in tough situations.

Finally, leading authentically while helping others uncover their potential is something I’m constantly working on. Leadership isn’t about controlling every outcome; it’s about inspiring others to rise to the occasion and grow, even in moments of uncertainty. That’s the kind of leadership I strive to embody and help others develop.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I started out as an informal leader by setting an example for those around me and mentoring people who wanted to grow and improve. For me, leadership wasn’t about titles or recognition; it was about showing up, putting in the work, and helping others find their own path to success. Over time, opportunities to take on formal leadership roles came my way, and I embraced them, continuing to mentor others but with a clearer sense of purpose behind my actions.

Becoming a parent changed everything for me as a leader. It taught me patience on a whole new level and showed me the importance of truly listening to understand what others need. Parenting pushed me to lead with empathy, to adapt my approach to meet different personalities, and to focus on guiding rather than controlling. Those lessons have made me a better leader, especially when it comes to building trust and empowering others.

As I’ve climbed the ranks, I’ve always believed in bringing people with me. Leadership isn’t about holding onto power, it’s about giving others the tools and confidence they need to step up and succeed, even when you’re not there. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone you’ve mentored grow into a leader themselves. For me, that’s what leadership is all about—helping others rise and making the team stronger as a result.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

My days are designed to keep me focused, productive, and intentional. I start early, usually before sunrise, with a morning routine to set the tone for the day. A bit of stretching or light exercise helps wake me up, and I spend time journaling or reflecting on my goals. I also like to read or listen to something motivational, it helps me start the day with the right mindset. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., I focus entirely on my business. This is my most productive window, where I handle high-priority tasks like creating content, coaching clients, or preparing for speaking engagements. I keep this time as structured and distraction-free as possible to maximize my output.

By 1:30 p.m., I’m at the gym. It’s an essential part of my day that helps me recharge mentally and physically. Whenever I’m driving, I make the most of the time by listening to a new audiobook, which keeps me learning and engaged. I'm currently listening to books at 2.2x speed.

Most of my free time is spent with my wife and daughter. They’re my grounding force and a constant reminder of what truly matters. Family time is a top priority, and I make sure to be present and fully engaged when I’m with them.

Sometimes, though, my mind doesn’t switch off, and I find myself working on projects late at night when I can’t sleep. Oddly enough, some of my best writing happens during those quiet, still hours. It’s in those moments that I can think clearly and put my ideas into words without interruption.

Balancing structure with flexibility allows me to stay productive while making room for family, fitness, and creativity. It’s about using my time intentionally and aligning my daily actions with my bigger goals.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

One of the tools I teach others is the power of emotional intelligence and creating a strong emotional vocabulary. It’s something I work with leaders on all the time, which is why it surprises me when I catch myself forgetting to apply it to my own life. There are moments when I need to stop and remind myself that I’m my number one client. If I’m not operating at 100%, I can’t show up the way I need to for the people I lead.

That realization hit me recently, and it served as a wake-up call. Leadership starts from within. If I’m not taking the time to check in with myself, to process my emotions, and get my head right, then I’m not practicing what I preach. It’s a reminder that even as a leader, you never stop learning, especially when it comes to leading yourself first.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so

far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

One book that’s had a huge impact on me as a leader is Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss. As a former FBI hostage negotiator, Voss shares strategies that aren’t just about negotiation—they’re about how to truly connect with people and build trust in high-stakes situations.

What really stood out to me was the emphasis on emotional intelligence and tactical empathy. As someone who’s always believed in the power of communication, this book gave me a fresh perspective. It taught me that real leadership is about listening—really listening—and understanding where the other person is coming from.

One of the techniques that’s stuck with me is "mirroring," where you repeat key phrases to show you’re listening and encourage the other person to open up. I’ve used this in everything from coaching conversations to team dynamics, and it’s made a noticeable difference. The book reminded me that leadership isn’t about dominating a conversation or controlling the outcome—it’s about connecting, understanding, and guiding people toward a solution that works for everyone.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

If you want to be a leader, start acting like one right now. People will remember how you behaved long before you had a title, and you’ll never live it down if you’re not leading by example. Leadership isn’t something you wait for—it’s about how you show up every single day.

You’ve got to lead yourself first. Take control of your actions, your attitude, and your growth. Don’t wait for someone to hand you a title to start stepping up. If you can’t lead yourself, how can you expect others to follow? The way you carry yourself today sets the tone for the leader you’ll become. Show up with integrity, own your decisions, and prove through your actions that you’re ready to lead.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

One story that really stuck with me happened with a friend I used to supervise. He was prepping for a big job interview and asked me for some advice and help getting ready. I’ve done this for a lot of people, so we went through the usual drill—mock questions, feedback, the works.

A few days later, he told me he got the job, which was awesome. But then he hit me with the kicker. During the interview, they asked him who he looked up to as a mentor, and he dropped my name. He said the room got quiet for a second, and then everyone started laughing because they all knew me. He wasn’t sure if that was going to help or hurt his chances!

It was one of those moments where I couldn’t stop laughing but also felt incredibly humbled. Knowing I had that kind of impact on him—and that he’d bring me up in a high-stakes moment like that—was a huge reminder of why I love what I do. Leadership isn’t just about guiding people in the moment; it’s about leaving a mark that helps them succeed long after. Also, I’m still waiting to find out if my name helped or if he just crushed the rest of the interview!