Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table

Fire Chief Dennis Doan of Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One talks about the 5 dysfunctions of a team. Your first team should be the team that you are on, not the team that you lead. You gotta step up if you want to make positive change. No silos, leaders must weigh in to have buy in. Everyone should strive for the platinum rule, "Treat people how THEY would like to be treated!" Chief Doan challenges all leaders to make excellence a priority in "every" thing we do. If not now, then when?

Fire Chief Tony McGuirk (ret.) of several fire departments in the United Kingdom and one of the original founders of the Community Risk Reduction concept talks extensively about the "What if" in delivering customer service as a fire service. He discusses ways in which the United Kingdom continues to put the community "first" in several of its innovations. He encourages that everyone need be a customer of the fire service within the first 20minutes of a fire. He discusses the 0, 2, 5, 20 model in Community Risk Reduction.

Battalion Chief Corley Moore of the Moore Fire Department in Oklahoma, Founder of Firehouse Vigilance, "The Never Ending Battle to Fight Complacency," as well as host of the fire service leadership podcast, "The Weekly Scrap," joins the Kitchen Table to talk about fighting complacency. Author of the book, "The 9 L's" and "Challenge your Leadership," both are must have's in any leader's library. Consistency beats intensity every day of the week, and one must be mindful of where they put their energy. Chief Moore offers highly inspirational quotes as well as other must-read books on leadership, influence and culture. Chief emphasizes that leaders must always be present and supportive of those in their lead. Every day starts at zero!

Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski (ret.) of Santa Clara County Fire Department and president and founder of code3firetraining, talks about his new book Courage Under Fire Leadership. Concepts unpacked include the followership crisis, how trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity as well as having haters is simply the cost of leadership! Steve encourages leaders to "have" a mentor(s) and also to "be" a mentor to others. Chief truly believes that everyone has something to contribute, regardless of your tenure or rank in the fire service. Leaders should find their niche and find ways to contribute, either by mentoring others, teaching classes, writing articles or even books. Steve quotes former U.S. Secretary of State "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off." Catch your people doing things right!

Captain Troy Gibson of Hawai'i Fire Department talks about your wolfpack. Do you have one? If not, get one. Build relationships with people inside and outside your fire department, so you don't find yourself in an echo chamber. Make sure those in your wolfpack are honest with you, tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, challenge them while they challenge you to become the best firefighter you could be. When you need help, ask for it, early and often. Listen to your people and be ok with not always having the answer to something. Be comfortable being uncomfortable!

Captain Anthony John (AJ) of South King Fire & Rescue out of Federal Way, Washington dives deep into mentorship and simply being intentional about what it is that you want to do. This includes having an all in attitude, building your relationships and with how you lead and mentor others. Leaders must always be listening and seeking out as many opportunities to learn about a diverse range of topics while always keep an open mind. AJ challenges all leaders to go out and do something with your crews off shift as that is where the foundation of success begins!

Retired Captain Bob Shannon of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue emphasizes that your organization is perfectly designed to get the outcomes that they are getting, as every organization has a leadership curriculum, formal and intentional, or accidental and by default. Bob dives into the two types of leaders: Positive impact leaders and negative impact leaders. Bob describes the leadership power quadrant including Emotional Intelligence & self-mastery, trust, accountability and effective communication. "You get what you accept, not what you expect!"

Disney Executive Lee Cockerell reveals the magic of Disney customer service. From poor farm kid to running Disney operations, Lee talks about the importance of having a good attitude, being reliable and having empathy. EVERYONE is watching! The secret is to hire the right people, train them right and treat them right! Don't underestimate your influence in the world, negative or positive, and don't underestimate what you can achieve in your life. Go be great!

Fire Chief Matthew Vinci of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue talks about the importance of networking, building relationships and listening to perspectives in order to get things done. Everybody at the table adds value, whether you agree or disagree with them and the lack of inclusion is simply a non-negotiable. Matthew talks about the strength in "pausing" in decision-making. The 24hr rule is often necessary, not just for yourself to think things through, but also to allow your team to think things through. "If you take care of your people, they will take care of the community!"

Fire Chief Mark Emery (ret.) of East Valley Fire District talks the Essentials of Honorable Leadership. He emphasizes that leadership is not synonymous with management and supervision, and leaders must differentiate between the two. Leadership is the influence of yourself and you take it with you everywhere you go. He quotes legendary coach and leader John Wooden in that "Success is peace of mind that is a direct result of self satisfaction and knowing that you make the effort to do the best of which are capable." Chief Emery also talks Integrated Tactical Accountability System (ITAC), Risk Assessment, the Passport Accountability System and more!

Battalion Chief Gary Barker of Valley Regional Fire Authority and Training Battalion Chief of Operations at the South King County Fire Training Consortium dives into "Old School Leadership" philosophies. Gary talks about how to become a respected officer, as well as the two traits that the most effective officers have in common: Being good at your job & being good with people! He emphasizes that many officers have one or the other, and to become a strong leader, one must strive to become competent in both!

Battalion Chief Ben Thompson of Birmingham Fire Department in Alabama unpacks his leadership philosophy on "to lead is to live dangerously." Don't become the lid and if you don't find yourself tired at the end of the day, you aren't doing enough as a leader. If you promote and you get the sense or feeling that you've "made it," you will not be an effective leader. Chief Thompson also emphasizes that if you are the best person for a particular job or position, you should put yourself in that position instead of looking for a way out, because as leaders, it is your duty to serve.

President Maia Earle and Dr. Brittany Hollerbach of The Beltane Guild join the show to discuss firefighter reproductive health. The nonprofit organization works in collaboration with firefighters and researchers from across the country to raise awareness, improve safety measures, re-write policy to protect our nation’s firefighters and provide grants to firefighters needing fertility treatment. Maia and Brittany talk about some modifiable risk factors, as well as the importance of being advocates within your department regarding the benefits for employees even if it does not affect you directly. The Beltane Guild has resources and information for you today. Visit www.thebeltaneguild.org for more!

Fire Chief Jason Hoevelmann of Florissant Valley Fire District in Missouri discusses how leadership is a practice due to constant changes and adaptive challenges. He states, "Would you want your lawyer or surgeon to be one who has practiced law or medicine in the past, or is "currently" practicing today? Chief expands upon integrity meaning doing the right thing all the time and not just when no one is looking. He also states that you cannot expect yourself in others. Everyone has a role and you must meet people where they are at. Great leaders must be aggressive!

Deputy Fire Chief (ret.) Emon Usher of the City Richmond Fire Dept. in California and coaching cadre with the Firefighter Inspiration Readiness & Education Team joins us and calls for all firefighters to always remember your oath, look to serve and to serve well. Good leaders should be visionaries, be vulnerable and should speak with the 3 C's: Command, Clarity & Common Sense. Leader's must step up to the mic!

Dr. Bruce Avolio, PhD., Mark Pigott Chair in Business Strategic Leadership within the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington & co-director of the Seattle Fire Dept. Executive Leadership Academy talks about how rank at times can get in the way of others having a "voice," (or psychological safety), and that leaders must be aware that sometimes the least experienced person in the room is the voice we ought to be listening to. Bruce also talks the 1st principle in the most trusted professions, "other centeredness." The fire service and its leaders must maintain "other centeredness," by continuing to evolve and change throughout a career. "It ain't over til it's over." You don't give up, you keep pushing forward and make sure you maximize all the wisdom and smart things and people around you that know things to help you get you to where you want to be.

Christina Fong, PhD, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs at the University of Washington Foster School of Business and co-director of the Seattle Fire Department Executive Leadership Academy talks the growth mindset, identity and power differences.. She emphasizes how strong psychologically safe organizations invest in cohesion and have mechanisms in place for learning from one another, providing feedback and tracking progress. Christina encourages leaders to find and make strong relationships with people who are very different than you.

Megan Lautz, RD., registered dietitian and strength coach with Fairfax fire and police, talks the power of nutrition in leadership. Vulnerability in nutrition and fitness is key in strong leaders when looking for support in your nutritional habits. Megan talks caffeine, calories on the run, timing of eating, easy firehouse recipes and understanding that priorities may change throughout your career. She also discusses the importance of knowing how to cook and tips on portion control.

Editor in Chief of Fire & Rescue Media David Rhodes dives into how building trust and relationships and being competent are must-have's in a great leader. Chief Rhodes is a retired battalion chief of the Atlanta (GA) Fire Department as well as a chief elder for the Georgia Smoke Diver Program and he encourages emerging leaders to think outside the box by going outside your organization to take classes, to teach classes, become an instructor and to seek additional development to become a well-rounded leader. He talks about the concept of loyal disobedience in driving true positive change for the betterment of the whole.

Kevin Thomas McCarney, author of the best selling book "Big Brain, Little Brain," how to control which one speaks for you, teaching us how to use simple techniques to control our response to win positive, Big Brain legacies. The book identifies the twenty-one tools your Big Brain can tap into for better communication, as well as the fourteen avoidable traps that your Little Brain will constantly set for you. Most importantly, it will show you how to find your "neutral," giving you the time and focus you need to find the right words even in the most pressure-filled encounters. Gaffes will become a thing of the past, and great communication will become your trademark!

Dr. Mark Abel, Ph.D., director of the First Responder Research Laboratory at the University of Kentucky and Member of the Portuguese Police Research Center (ICPOL) conducts research to enhance the safety, health, and readiness of firefighters and law enforcement officers. Mark owns Tactical Fitness Institute, LLC which develops legally defensible physical ability standards for fire departments and law enforcement agencies. Among his plentiful research, Dr. Abel performs research into implementing healthcare practitioners into fire departments as part of overall health and wellness initiatives.

Lieutenant Annette Zapp of Fire Rescue Wellness talks about the 4 pillars of wellness for firefighters: 1) Sleep, 2) Nutrition, 3) Exercise and 4) Mental Health. She encourages all to build a solid foundation early in your fire service career as you will never be less busy than when you were first hired. Find a good culturally competent counselor early, don't wait until you are struggling, and focus on the 4 pillars to maintain your wellness. As a former biochemist who wandered into the fire service in her 30's, she encourages you to put yourself in places where you feel like you don't belong, say yes to things, and figure out the rest of it later.

Battalion Chief Rob Fisher of Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue and c0-founder of Young Officers on Fire talks about the importance of building relationships in the fire service. He emphasizes to young firefighters to know the trade before learning the tricks, and for young officers to learn how to communicate well in all aspects. Chief Fisher emphasizes the following: Pick up the phone and talk to people, meet with people face to face, plan and organize. If it's important, put it on the calendar, don’t find the time, make the time. Invest time bonding in non-work stuff, give and receive appreciation more frequently, and lastly, always stay authentic,

Former global director of the Walt Disney Company and former City of Woodinville fire commissioner Ben May talks about knowing yourself and taking care of yourself first and then you will be able to help others. Ben emphasizes the importance of community risk reduction as that is the future of the fire service. Much like the Walt Disney philosophy in providing customer service that is second to none, don't worry about what you are going to get, but instead worry about what you are going to provide. "Ayn Brera. No choice. No choice but to be excellent. No choice but to do the right thing."

Deputy Chief Michael Despain of Redmond (Wa.) Fire Dept. talks about building community trust, remembering exactly who the customers are and who the service providers are. Chief dives into organizational steps to DEI work, how culture change is slow, but baby steps are key and how putting time and money behind important work must be a priority. Your test as a leader, a company officer, and a chief officer starts the day you become a firefighter.

City of Issaquah, Washington Mayor Mary Lou Pauly offers perspectives on authenticity in being a leader. Be humble, do research, be patient, rely on your team and listen intentionally when serving others to truly hear people's needs. To be authentic, you must put yourself out there, expose yourself, take chances, being ok to say you don't know and never assume you know someone else's perspective. Leaders must embrace difficult conversations and include others in decision making so you do things with them and not to them.

Manny Romero of Seattle Fire Dept talks about recruit prep and fire prep programs that help prepare recruits for drill school. He touches on the adult learning environment, raising the floor and giving more opportunity to their candidates to be successful. Manny also talks about 3 primary components to a sound health & wellness program for firefighters which are: Aerobic capacity, joint mobility and physical strength. "Random workouts create random results." He emphasizes that having a robust and intentional recovery program and stress management plan is vital in helping you live and work a healthy career and quality of life in retirement.

Captain Benjamin Martin of Henrico County Division of Fire, Virginia talks about followership being more important than leadership. Leaders must have the ability to demonstrate being a good follower in order to be a good leader. Leaders must thrive to explain the why and the why not in a decentralized format to offer the big picture in interacting with each other on the fire ground and in the fire house. Captain Martin dives into psychological safety in creating high performing teams and organizations and leaders are responsible for creating that environment by modeling behavior.

Division Chief Mark Sawdon of King County Medic One shares a personal story regarding sleep, mental health and emotional trauma as it relates to the job and the importance of self-awareness and recognition of self-change. He talks about listening to our peers, spouses and family members regarding behavioral and emotional changes that are happening to us. Mark suggests creating relationships with people who can hold you accountable regarding your mental health.

Police Lieutenant (ret.) Eric Rosoff, founded the Career Survival Group and has been helping save careers since 2006. His team has coined the term, "You can lose your life on the fire ground, but you can lose your career in the fire house." Eric emphasizes the importance of understanding your department’s code of conduct, administrative and the in-the-station expectations just as you would the operational ones. Administrative safety violations are the root of most firefighter personnel actions, terminations, and workplace lawsuits. These are all stressful and costly events that impact morale and public trust. Additionally, administrative safety violations frequently derail the agency’s efforts at recruitment and inclusion. "Do your administrative pushups!"

Fire Chief (ret.) Rick Lasky of Lewisville, Texas Fire Department, author of best selling books "Pride & Ownership" and "5 Alarm Leadership," emphasizes that leaders must always strive to be better, continuously hone their craft, keep learning, keep training, pick the greatest firefighters and officers to emulate and never forget that it is all about your people! Passion drives success, ego and power kill positions, and negativity kills the greatest of organizations. In Chief Lasky's words, if you don't have integrity you suck! Firefighter's must have the love for the job, otherwise go work somewhere else.

Deputy Chief (ret.) Frank Viscuso of Kearny, Fire Dept., New Jersey, author of Amazon Best Sellers "Step up and Lead," and "Step up your Teamwork," emphasizes that anything is possible, nothing is out of reach, and that you don't need anyone's permission to make your dreams happen. Leaders will not reach their potential unless you get uncomfortable and fail along the way. Leaders must have difficult conversations to ignite the fire in others. Chief Viscuso unpacks the 4 step process in developing your ability to lead, the 6 reasons why people work, and the 8 steps to building strong teams. "A leader of one can become a leader of many, but if you can't lead one, you'll never lead any!"

Captain Jon Goins w/ Seattle Fire Dept. encourages all firefighters to get involved early and staying involved to learn and to grow. Leaders must work toward being someone worthy of being followed and looked up to, and always remember why we are here. Leaders must be competent, consistent and fair, and it's a leaders job to teach and to mentor.

Fire Chief (ret.) Jeff Clark of Eastside Fire & Rescue talks about being present and engaged early and often throughout your entire career. He suggests entering in dialogue and always ask questions. Chief Clark talks about how leaders must be willing to listen, admit when they are wrong, and be humble enough to change their opinion or decision on the fly if needed. He adds that leaders from all ranks must strive and do the requisite work in getting to yes by being able to put yourself in others shoes, assume others positions and thought processes and learning a new perspective for a unified commitment. "Go to the Balcony!"

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kira Mauseth unpacks many of the behavioral issues with first responders. She talks about what peer support teams could do, the importance of setting boundaries and knowing when a peer supporter should be looking to listen vs looking to fix. Dr. Mauseth asks everyone the rhetorical question: How much time and hours are you spending in restorative care and recovery vs. escaping and avoiding your problems. She emphasizes that leaders of all ranks must walk the talk when talking and prioritizing behavioral and mental health of first responders.

Battalion Chief Brett Loomis w/ Corvalis Fire Department and Trainfirefighters.com, talks 50,000 shades of leadership. He talks about putting yourself out there and making mistakes as they ultimately help you grow. Chief Loomis emphasizes the importance of being of significance to others over being successful of self.

Retired Captain Dan Willis from La Mesa Police Department in San Diego, California talks emotional survival with first responders. Captain Willis authored the book Bulletproof Spirit: The First Responders Essential Resource for Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart,” which is a required reading at the FBI National Academy. Captain talks youth leadership in the community, as well as leading during mass change.

"Comfort is the Enemy to Growth," as quoted by Lt. Aaron Fields with Seattle Fire Dept. in his speech at FDIC 2017 upon accepting the "Instructor of the Year" Award. Aaron fields is the founder of "Nozzle Forward," and he unpacks how there is no such thing as informal leadership, in that all kinds of leadership is formal regardless of rank, and that organizations must have leaders at every single rank. Lt. Fields discusses leadership, mentorship and instruction, and the passion that is needed within all.

Fire Chief Harold Scoggins of Seattle Fire Department helps us unpack the work and how to have conversations around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Fire Service. He discusses the importance of building relationships at all ranks. To become a great leader, he suggests one keeps an open mind, keeps learning, becomes educated, stays curious, is very courageous, and always looks for new ways to serve.

Assistant Chief Kris Larson of Los Angeles City Fire Department helps us navigate around diversity, equity and inclusion in the fire service and being an authentic leader. She helps us unpack the importance of equity, recruitment, hiring, diversity in the workforce and creating an environment that is psychologically safe for everyone to thrive.

Deputy Chief Aaron Tyerman of Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority talks about becoming exceptional at what you do by surrounding yourself with exceptional people. He talks vulnerable leadership, generational leadership, as well as staying infinitely curious in this profession and with people to grow as a leader.

Battalion Chief (ret.) Anthony Kastros of Metro Fire, California discusses the leadership pandemic in the modern-day fire service. He discusses the current leadership gap and the growing need to build more leaders organically. He talks about how taking initiative and setting the example are the keys to bridging this much needed gap of leadership.

Fire Chief Greg Tryon with Central Valley Fire District in Belgrade, Montana talks about the concept of leadership of self and how deliberate practice of self-awareness and regulation of your own thoughts, actions and behaviors will help you grow and become an effective leader. He also discsusses the importance of having difficult conversations, early and often.

Division Chief Andrew (Andy) Tait of King County Medic One talks about his journey into leadership and the many missed opportunities; likely because his constant negativity and pessimism limited true potential - ultimately damaging relationships. A raw admission of Andy's career development and leadership failures and how he turned things around. What NOT to do as an emerging leader.

Assistant Fire Chief Pete Brummel of East Jefferson Fire & Rescue discusses the importance of humility and focusing on the mission. He recommends always leaning forward and walking through doors of opportunities. The greatest leaders are the greatest listeners!

Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack of East Pierce Fire & Rescue talks all things leadership in the fire service! He suggests how being uncomfortable leads to growth and opportunity. Competing each day to be 1% better is the key to sustainable growth and leadership. He also talks about the differences between and the importance of understanding alignment vs agreement in decision-making.