Ethics for State Park Leaders

Guest: Brent Leisure, Director of Texas State Parks (ret)

Ethics in state parks is rarely about clear-cut right and wrong. More often, leaders find themselves navigating gray areas—where policies, public expectations, resource protection, staff morale, and political realities collide.

In this episode of Tailgate Talks, Donald sits down with Brent Leisure for a thoughtful, practical conversation about ethical leadership in state parks. Together, they explore how ethics shows up in everyday decisions—far beyond policy manuals and audit reports—and why culture, consistency, and courage matter more than titles.

This episode speaks directly to park professionals who are balancing limited resources, public trust, internal pressures, and stewardship responsibilities. Whether you're a new supervisor or a seasoned leader, this conversation offers tools to help you lead with integrity when the path forward isn't obvious.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The difference between ethics and morals in leadership

• Why most ethical challenges live in the gray area, not black and white

• How small compromises can quietly shape organizational culture

• The role of consistency and fairness in building trust with staff

• Why "this is how we've always done it" can be a warning sign

• Navigating ethical decisions under pressure from politics, public opinion, and limited resources

• How leaders can model ethical behavior—even when it's uncomfortable

• Practical ways to prepare yourself and your team for ethical decision-making before problems arise

Key Takeaways:

• Ethical leadership is less about rules and more about daily choices

• Culture is shaped by what leaders tolerate, not just what they say

• Transparency and accountability protect both the organization and the leader

• When leaders do the right thing early, they avoid much harder decisions later

Who This Episode Is For:

• Park Rangers and frontline staff

• Supervisors, managers, and administrators

• Emerging leaders preparing for greater responsibility

• Anyone serving in public lands, conservation, or recreation

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts If this episode resonates, please share it with a colleague, mentor, or emerging leader—and keep the conversation going around the tailgate.