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This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison and John Vance

We dig into why reactions make or break leadership, how to de-escalate without dodging accountability, and why the best chiefs manage problems early and at the lowest level. Stories from the fireground and the station show how kindness, clarity, and standards live together.

• Owning attitude and response under stress
• Differentiating training gaps from discipline issues
• Managing at the lowest level with real support
• Using personal power over positional power
• Pausing before acting to create options
• Fixing problems early before they gain seniority
• Stopping freelancing and backing standards
• Modeling humor, consistency and calm
• Handling HR and law enforcement escalation wisely
• Treating one-offs differently from habitual behavior

Read Terry Garrison's article here: https://bshifter.com/think-youre-a-strong-leader-your-reactions-might-prove-otherwise/

Buy “Timeless Tactical Truths from Alan Brunacini” at bshifter.com in our store for only $10!

This episode was recorded at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix on February 3, 2026.

For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/blue-card/

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