-- In a recent interview with Xraised, Nick Lawless, founder and CEO of CPS1, shares his insights on leadership forged through adversity. Drawing from his extensive military and homeland security background, Lawless explains how true leadership is not developed in safe environments but earned in moments of crisis.
Through his career, Lawless has come to understand that leadership under pressure requires more than managing challenges as they arise. It is about transforming moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth, clarity, and decisive action, both for leaders and the teams they guide.
You can watch the full interview here.
The Role of Crisis in Leadership Development
According to Lawless, strong leadership is shaped through experience gained in difficult and high-stakes environments. Leaders are not formed in ideal conditions but in moments of uncertainty, risk, and responsibility. In these situations, leaders must learn to regulate emotion, maintain focus, and guide others through rapidly changing and often volatile circumstances.
Lawless emphasizes that crisis situations frequently require decisions to be made with incomplete information and under intense pressure. This is where leadership is tested most clearly, as those who perform well in these moments develop the ability to lead effectively in any environment.
Leveraging Anxiety and Hypervigilance for Success
One of the defining elements of Lawless’ leadership philosophy is his perspective on anxiety and hypervigilance. Rather than viewing these traits as weaknesses, he believes they can become strengths when properly understood and managed. Anxiety, when acknowledged rather than suppressed, can sharpen awareness and improve decision-making.
Lawless explains that hypervigilance, or heightened situational awareness, allows leaders to identify risks early and act before challenges escalate. In security, protection, and crisis response work, this readiness is essential. It is what separates leaders who simply react from those who actively shape outcomes and protect others.
A Model for Today’s World
In an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, Lawless advocates for a leadership approach he refers to as Lawless Leadership. This model is built on the belief that leaders cannot wait for perfect clarity or emotional comfort before acting. Leadership requires stepping forward in morally complex situations and accepting responsibility even when outcomes are uncertain.
Lawless believes effective leadership is grounded in decisive action, resilience, and the ability to remain composed under pressure. His approach reflects the realities of modern security, where leaders must balance risk, judgment, and accountability in real time.
In his book, Lawless Leadership, available for purchase on Amazon, Lawless expands on these ideas, explaining how leadership is not taught in safety but earned through survival and responsibility. Drawing from federal operations, crisis response, and personal hardship, the book serves as a practical blueprint for leaders who must perform when failure carries real consequences.
Practical Advice for Leaders in High-Pressure Environments
For leaders working in demanding or high-risk environments, Lawless offers clear and practical guidance. He emphasizes the importance of setting firm boundaries to manage stress and prevent burnout. Leaders must understand their limits and know when to delegate or rely on trusted teams.
Lawless also encourages leaders to trust their training and instincts. In crisis situations, overanalysis can be costly. Strong leaders rely on experience, preparation, and judgment to make timely decisions when conditions are far from ideal.
About Nick Lawless
Nick Lawless is the founder and CEO of CPS1, a security and protection firm delivering comprehensive solutions across physical security, executive protection, risk management, and cybersecurity. With a background spanning military service, homeland security, and federal operations, Lawless has spent his career leading teams in high-stakes environments where calm, clarity, and accountability are essential.
His leadership philosophy focuses on turning adversity into strength and using crisis as a catalyst for disciplined, decisive leadership.
About CPS1
CPS1 is a security and protection company founded in 2013 with a mission to redefine standards of safety, reliability, and professionalism. Built by a leadership team with backgrounds in military operations, law enforcement, and security services, CPS1 brings over 65 years of combined experience to protecting people, property, and information.
The company provides tailored solutions including on-site security, executive protection, discreet asset transportation, advanced cybersecurity, and risk management. By combining traditional security expertise with modern technology, CPS1 delivers comprehensive protection for individuals, organizations, and multinational clients.
CPS1 is committed to quality, discretion, and trust, continuously adapting to evolving threats while maintaining a client-first approach focused on peace of mind and long-term security.
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