Please Suck Less

This month I reflect on 2021 what has happened along the way what is up with me and what the future brings.

I have no guest this month, it is just me and the podcast is short only 2o min. So enjoy and  will see you in 2022!

In this episode I once again speak to Retired Battalion Chief Frank Ricci about making yourself, as well as your organization successful.

As a leader there are time you have to set yourself up for success. When you are interviewing for a new job or promotion you need to tell your bosses who you are what you have done and how you are the right person for the job.

As a leader you understand that you are not the most important person. You should be making the organization successful by your actions.

I am happy to have Robert James (RJ) Fire Lieutenant and President of Capitol Fire Training. We discuss being the new officer and building you influence through staying humble, staying enthusiastic, and lead by example. RJ talks about his role as a newly promoted Lt. and succeeding by sticking to his core values.

Sam and I talk about taking the assessment center, thinking like the officer you want to be and once you're there how do I earn leadership credibility.  Set good, reasonable and realistic expectations and you are on the path to success. 

In this episode I have a great conversation with Jason Gardner. Jason and I discuss being a good parent and taking care of yourself. 

The leadership traits you show at work are the same you must strive for at home. Setting a great example at home helps shape you kids. Whether you believe it or not, your kids are watching and listening to you.

You must take care of yourself to stay strong, live long and enjoy life.

In this episode I talk with Lt. Nick Pappa of the New Britian Fire Department. Nick brings the leadership perspective from the eyes of a line officer. Nick talks about being able to control the things that are in your control and not get hung up on the things you can't control.  We talk about building relationships with your crew and with your bosses. Gaining leadership credibility and empowering your people to take control of projects.

In this episode I had the pleasure to speaking to Batt. Chief David Griffin PhD of the Charleston SC Fire Department. 

David talks about the Principles of Leadership and being a  Servant Leader.

We took this position to serve the public and the men and women on the job. Be humble, mentor your people and set up the next generation to take your job when you're gone. 

You own your own firefighter training company. The pandemic hits. What do you do? You write a 3 volume book and keep right on teaching.

This month I speak with Bobby Eckert. Bobby is a Captain with the City of Camden Fire Department in NJ.  Bobby owns Eckert Fire Tactics. A firefighter training company.

When you leave your fire training academy you know just enough to get you in trouble. Bobby takes your basic skills and enhances them with real world tactics.  

Bobby talks about his view as a Captain and how he leads his shift while gaining their respect.

In this episode I am joined by Chief Anthony Avillo Anthony is a retired Deputy Chief of the North Hudson Fire Department in New Jersey.  He is the co author of the the book Full Contact Leadership and Fireground Strategies. He is a long time presenter at FDIC.

Anthony talks about the Prime Directive and asks "are you ready to go to work, if not you culture is broken"

I had a great talk with Frank Ricci. I continue to talking about communication. Being able to talk and listen are core skills you must possess to be a successful leader.  

Being able to make decisions is key when operating on the fireground. Decision making starts when you are a new firefighter and you continue to hone that skill as you move forward in your career, so you can make decisions with incomplete intel. As better information comes in you will be able fine tune your decision making on the fly.