“You don’t need fairness. You need leverage.” — Coach Lisa Gilbert, No-Nonsense Training Solutions
If you’re a forensic supervisor working in law enforcement, you know how hard it can be to cut through red tape and get your team what they need. Equipment upgrades? Training budgets? Updated procedures? Too often, the answer is no—and then… silence.
But what if you could change the conversation?
Before you dive into this article, take a few minutes to watch our powerful interview with Coach Lisa from No-Nonsense Training Solutions. It’s packed with practical advice, honest truth bombs, and strategies you can start applying right away. Then come back here—we’re diving deeper into what she calls one of the most overlooked tools in a leader’s toolbox: leverage.
And if this episode gets your wheels turning, you’re going to love what we have in store. As part of our countdown to the Forensics on a Budget 2025 Summit happening during National Forensic Science Week, we’re highlighting some of the most-loved summit sessions from last year’s virtual summit. This article is one of them.
Even better? You can access the full 2024 Forensic Supervisor Success Summit—including 20+ more high-impact sessions—when you become a member of The Vault.
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What Is Leverage in Forensic Supervision?
Leverage isn’t about manipulation or playing politics in the shady, backroom-deal sense. Instead, it’s about building influence the right way. It’s how smart forensic supervisors move projects forward, secure critical resources, and create impact—not by luck, but by strategy.
In Coach Lisa’s words:
“Leverage is when I have an upper hand. It’s when I bring something to the table that’s hard to replace.”
Let that sink in. Leverage isn’t about your title. It’s not about how long you’ve been at the agency. It’s about what you bring to the table—your skills, your relationships, your value.
Why Forensic Supervisors Need Leverage
Too many forensic supervisors think doing a great job should be enough. But here’s the reality:
- Doing your job well is expected, not rewarded.
- Waiting for fairness will keep you stuck.
- “No” often just means “not this way.”
If you want to:
- Advocate effectively for your team
- Influence decision-makers
- Secure training, tools, and support
…you need leverage.
As Coach Lisa puts it:
“Longevity doesn’t equal promotability. You need leverage.”
Let’s unpack what that actually means in your day-to-day.
7 Ways to Build and Use Leverage Ethically
Leverage isn’t a secret formula. It’s built, step by step, through intentional behaviors and professional development.
Here are seven ways to build real, ethical leverage as a forensic supervisor:
1. Become a Subject Matter Expert
When people come to you for your expertise, that’s leverage. Own your niche—whether that’s bloodstain pattern analysis, digital forensics, or evidence handling protocols.
Action Step:
- Start documenting and sharing knowledge.
- Volunteer to teach or mentor within your agency.
2. Grow and Nurture Your Network
Leverage thrives on relationships. Do people trust you? Can you get a quick answer from someone in a neighboring agency or the lab?
Action Step:
- Reach out. Collaborate. Follow up.
- Don’t wait for politics to work against you. Build networks that work for you.
3. Understand Departmental Status
Coach Lisa made this point loud and clear: when people know your name for the right reasons, that’s leverage.
Action Step:
- Get visible (present at meetings, speak up in task forces).
- Contribute in ways that spotlight your reliability and impact.
4. Develop Emotional Intelligence
Want to navigate difficult personalities and shifting priorities? You’ll need emotional intelligence: the ability to read the room, regulate your reactions, and adapt to your audience.
Action Step:
- Take an emotional intelligence assessment.
- Reflect on feedback, and practice managing tough conversations.
5. Protect Your Reputation
Your reputation is leverage. If you’re dependable, honest, and resourceful, word gets around. And it can open doors.
Action Step:
- Do what you say you’ll do.
- Own mistakes without excuses.
6. Stop Taking “No” at Face Value
Coach Lisa and Erin both shared examples of using persistence as a form of leverage. If one path is blocked, find another.
Action Step:
- Revisit denied requests with better data, better timing, or a new angle.
- Build a case and bring it to the right person—at the right time.
7. Play the Game Above Board
Yes, public safety is political. But that doesn’t mean you have to play dirty. As Coach Lisa says:
“Politics is just the strategies we use to get things done. It’s networking. It’s influence. It’s knowing when to speak and when to listen.”
Action Step:
- Engage with leadership, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Be strategic—but always ethical.
What Happens When You Don’t Leverage?
Let’s talk about the other side. What happens when supervisors refuse to “play the game”?
- They become isolated.
- Their teams miss out on key opportunities.
- They get branded as uncooperative or difficult.
You don’t have to play dirty. But you do have to engage.
“Every time you walk into your workplace, you’re playing the game. You might as well play it right.”
Ask Yourself: Where Is Your Leverage?
This reflection can change how you lead:
- What do I do well that others rely on?
- Who knows, likes, and trusts me?
- What do I bring to the table that’s hard to replace?
- Who’s in my corner? Who’s in my network?
Your goal isn’t perfection. Your goal is progress.
And when you approach your role as a forensic supervisor with strategic, ethical leverage, your entire team benefits.
Join Us Inside The Vault
Ready to watch the full summit replay plus hundreds of hours of forensic training?
Join The Vault for just $29/month and gain immediate access to:
- All 21 presentation replays from the 2024 Forensic Supervisor Success Summit
- The 2022 and 2023 summits
- Dozens of webinars, courses, worksheets, and more
Become a Vault Member today and start leveraging your leadership.
Final Thought: Lead Smarter, Not Just Harder
Being a forensic supervisor is hard. But it doesn’t have to be thankless.
Build your leverage. Grow your influence. Bring value every day. And use your relationships to get what your team needs to thrive.
Coach Lisa said it best:
“Don’t fight for fairness. Use your leverage.”
We’re cheering for you—and so is your team.
