Side Alpha Leadership

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.

If you read any NIOSH report you will find that a lack of communications was a factor in most firefighters injuries or death. In business poor communications can cost money and people their jobs. Being a skilled communicator is an art. You have to be a good talker, but more importantly you have to be a good listener. You have to put your ego in check and be open to what others have to say.

In this episode I talk with Battalion Chief Sam Villani about talking with your people and listening them. The power of accurate fire ground communications and empowering your people to speak up and share their thoughts and ideas.

My guest Clay Anderson talks about being a servant leader and having a good dose of humility. Clay is active in the Navy and working on his Masters Degree in Leadership. He gives his views on servant leadership and humility. A servant leader displays the following characteristics:

• Empowerment
• Standing back
• Humility
• Authenticity
• Courage
• Accountability
• Interpersonal Acceptance
• Stewardship

Just to name a few.

This month I have a great conversation with Robert James (RJ) about training getting buy in from your shift and passing on what you have learned and motivating you people. RJ is a career firefighter in the DC Metro area and the President and founder of Capitol Fire Training LLS. RJ has dedicated his fire service life in learning the craft honing his skills and passing on what he has learned to the next generation.