Dr. and Fire Chief Eric Saylors of El Cerrito/Kensington Fire Department talks about the fundamental principle of leadership; a positive succession plan, guiding future leaders to replace the current ones. Chief dives into the "Succession Project," his 3 traits of strong leaders: 1) Empathy, 2) Adaptability and 3) Resilience, and his non-negotiable, "Breaches of discipline." "Early winners don't make good leaders!" The greatest leaders get knocked down over and over again, but get right back up and move forward.

Division Chief Heather Marques of Alameda County Fire Department encourages leaders to lead with love. Leadership is influence! Try to default to positivity, Understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs will help leaders better understand the needs of the people they lead. From her thesis paper, "Working Fire: Recruitment & Retention of Women Firefighters," Chief Marques discusses the 4 quadrants of concern for retention of women firefighters : 1) Physical challenges 2) Work-home sociocultural factors ,3) Family planning and 4) Promotional challenges. "Ancora Imparo," I am still learning."

Division Chief David Stone of South Walton Fire District dives deep into what Emotional Intelligence is and what leaders can do to incorporate these importance characteristics into their leadership development! Chief also talks about why negativity and complaining is so easy for leaders and how a positive mindset is a must in a strong leader. Be the leader you've always wanted, and start by being a servant leader!

Fire Chief Shannon Stone of Midway Fire District talks company officer leadership, adversity, high performing teams and cultures. Are you a leader who sees problems or sees opportunities? Leaders must be good at teaching and sharing information. They should be an expert at their job and every job below theirs. Always put others before yourself, study servant leadership and study human behavior. Anyone who knows how to effectively communicate will get more out of life.

Fire Chief Dave McGlynn within Federal Fire and Emergency Services talks all things training. We are talking what makes an effective training officer as well as training division. Are you a teacher and educator or are you just in the position of teaching? You're not a teacher unless they're learning. No different than you aren't leading if they aren't following. The chief talks about the position of influence that you are in. Are you using it in a positive manner or negative? Leave your ego at the door!

Assistant Chief Johnny Torgeson of MCLB Barstow Fire & Emergency Services talks Forging your Team! He outlines the differences between a group vs crew vs team, as teams are what we should be striving for in the fire service! Chief Torgeson also differentiates between mentoring and coaching as both have its place in development. Additionally, every single person must be intentional in their plans regarding developing yourself, your team and your organization. Pour 80% of your energy into 20% of your people and you will have created a force multiplier in forging your teams. Don't walk around with a leadership license: Earn the respect, opportunity and privilege to lead each day as if it were a new day.

Assistant Chief Scott Booth of Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One talks about the the necessity of being vulnerable in effective leadership. In his EFO paper, he unpacks "shared struggle," encouraging leaders to create opportunities for their team or crew to struggle together, instead of relying on chance to offer those situations. He challenges everyone to be just a little more vulnerable, today, with something simple, and see what happens! Scott also talks about how followership can be argued as more important than leadership.

Battalion Chief Dena Ali of the Raleigh Fire Department in North Carolina talks peer support., destigmatizing mental health and modeling vulnerability. Our guest has conducted extensive research on the mental health challenges faced by first responders, including the impact of trauma and stress, and has also conducted research on firefighter suicide. Chief Ali has also served as a subject matter expert at the National Fire Academy, where she assisted in reviewing the health and wellness curriculum. She goes into the polyvagal theory, and heart rate variability as it relates to training, recovery and performance.

Assistant Chief Rayne Gray of the Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Dept. talks expanding your empathy by asking real questions, listening with real intent and getting to know your people. He unpacks the importance of getting out of your comfort zone and failing. People who really care about outcomes and their leadership qualities fear they don't measure up to the task, but they are the ones who are paying attention, staying curious, asking questions, learning and trying to better themselves. He suggests the ones who have it "all figured out," are the ones to be concerned about. Chief Gray suggests all leaders to build their reading lists, because although not all readers are leaders, all leaders are readers.

A group of dedicated fire officers who met at the Command & Control class at the National Fire Academy came together to create a "Wolfpack." Committed to continuous mentorship and learning, topics discussed are: Vulnerability, mentorship, diverse thought and perspective, personal & professional growth and a whole lot more. Tune into the 50th episode of the Kitchen Table!