Podcast Summary: Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table Episode: Ep. 53: Scott Booth, Assistant Chief - Vulnerability & Followership
Release Date: September 29, 2024
Host: Berlin Maza
Guest: Assistant Chief Scott Booth

Introduction

In Episode 53 of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table, host Berlin Maza engages in a profound discussion with Assistant Chief Scott Booth of Gig Harbor Fire Department. The episode delves into the intricate dynamics of vulnerability and followership within leadership roles, especially in high-stakes environments like firefighting. Through personal anecdotes, research insights, and practical advice, Booth elucidates how embracing vulnerability can enhance team cohesion and effectiveness.

Scott Booth’s Background

Early Career and Move to the West Coast
Scott Booth began his firefighting journey as a volunteer firefighter in Denville, New Jersey, in 1990 during his senior year of high school. Transitioning to a full-time hospital-based paramedic in 1994, he then pursued a career as a firefighter in Howard County, Maryland, starting in 1996. In 1997, Booth relocated to Gig Harbor, Washington, driven by a series of serendipitous events he describes as "God moments" (04:00).

Personal Life and Hobbies
Booth is married to Amy, with whom he shares two children, Jordan and Sheldon, and two dogs. An avid cyclist, Booth engages in long-range cycling and maintains a passion for drumming, often playing in his basement. These personal interests highlight his balanced approach to life, blending rigorous professional responsibilities with fulfilling personal pursuits.

Vulnerability in Leadership

Embracing “I Don't Know”
Booth opens the conversation by emphasizing the freedom in admitting uncertainty. He states, “There is such a tremendous freedom in simply saying, you know what, I don't know” (00:01). This admission is not about delving into personal traumas but about being honest in situations where he requires team input, fostering a collaborative environment.

Impact on Team Dynamics
Booth argues that recognizing the strength of a team over individual prowess is a form of vulnerability. By relying on team members’ expertise, leaders can enhance effectiveness and efficiency, thereby embodying vulnerability as a strategic strength rather than a weakness (00:01).

The Story of Opportunity

Discovering Pierce County
Booth recounts a pivotal moment when he found a job opportunity in Pierce County, Washington, through an unexpected placement of a job announcement on green paper in Howard County, Maryland (05:28). This chance finding led to his immediate relocation, underscoring the role of prepared readiness in seizing opportunities.

Seizing the Moment
Booth highlights the importance of recognizing and acting upon opportunities: “The key is to recognize the signs when they come, those opportunities” (08:11). This proactive approach is crucial in leadership, where timing and decisive action can significantly impact career trajectories and organizational success.

Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program

Overview and Structure
Booth is nearing the completion of the Executive Fire Officer program (EFO 2.0) at the National Fire Academy. The program focuses on self-awareness, organizational analysis, community needs, and culminates in an in-depth study of the Battle of Gettysburg (16:48).

Purpose and Target Audience
The EFO program is designed not only for aspiring fire chiefs but for any leader seeking to deepen their understanding of self and organizational dynamics. Booth emphasizes its relevance for those who challenge cultural norms and seek innovative leadership strategies (20:06).

Learning Outcomes
Booth describes the program as transformative, enhancing emotional intelligence and fostering a comprehensive understanding of leadership within both organizational and community contexts (21:27).

Emotional Intelligence and Human Skills

Intersection with Vulnerability
While Booth's research focused on vulnerability, he acknowledges its strong correlation with emotional intelligence. He notes, “Understanding and managing one's own emotions, the ability to empathize with others” as integral components of effective vulnerability (45:04).

Modern Leadership Paradigms
Booth observes a shift towards valuing human skills over traditional “hard” skills within fire departments. He advocates for continuous self-improvement and education through resources like Brene Brown and Simon Sinek to cultivate these essential traits (52:00).

Developing Emotional Intelligence
Booth stresses the importance of self-reflection and professional counseling in overcoming personal challenges to enhance emotional intelligence. His personal journey from dealing with an abusive father to developing resilience exemplifies this growth (46:15).

The Role of Followership

Critical to Leadership
Booth posits that followership is as important, if not more so, than leadership itself. Effective followership builds credibility and sets a foundation for strong leadership (64:34).

Modeling Behavior
He underscores that leaders must exemplify good followership to foster similar behaviors within their teams. This mutual respect and adherence to organizational values reinforce a cohesive and trustworthy environment (64:34).

Impact on Team Dynamics
Booth illustrates that inconsistent or poor followership by leaders can undermine team morale and effectiveness. Conversely, demonstrating exceptional followership can enhance a leader’s credibility and the team’s overall performance (65:17).

Challenges in Early Leadership

Earning Credibility
Reflecting on his early leadership roles, Booth admits that his initial challenge was transitioning from a "mouthy" follower to a trusted leader. He overcame this by actively supporting and challenging team members, thereby earning their trust and respect (66:44).

Balancing Authority and Empathy
Booth discusses the delicate balance leaders must maintain between asserting authority and showing empathy. By understanding and addressing team members’ individual needs and strengths, he fostered a supportive and effective team dynamic (69:58).

Embracing Vulnerability

Strategies for New Firefighters and Leaders
Booth advises new firefighters and leaders to start small by seeking help or acknowledging gaps in their knowledge. For instance, admitting a lack of expertise in a particular area and leveraging team strengths can build trust and improve team performance (72:27).

Creating Safe Opportunities
He recommends leaders actively create situations that encourage shared struggle and vulnerability, thereby strengthening team bonds and enhancing collective problem-solving capabilities (37:47).

Modeling Vulnerability Effectively
For new officers, Booth suggests expressing vulnerability off the fireground to avoid misinterpretations during high-stakes operations. This approach reinforces that leaders value team expertise and promotes a culture of mutual support (77:05).

Listener Challenge and Leadership Call to Action

Encouraging Vulnerability
Both host and guest advocate for a collective increase in vulnerability within leadership roles. Booth challenges listeners to identify and act upon opportunities to be more vulnerable, thereby fostering a culture of honesty and trust (85:56).

Imagining Cultural Transformation
They envision a fire service culture where even a 1% increase in vulnerability across all members can lead to significant improvements in teamwork, trust, and overall effectiveness (86:11).

Future Guest Challenge and Closing Thoughts

Identifying Future Leaders
Booth nominates Nick Langlow, an upcoming Deputy Chief of Operations, as an ideal future guest to discuss leadership. He commends Langlow’s integrity and leadership qualities, anticipating valuable insights from his experiences (88:23).

Final Leadership Wisdom
Booth concludes with the poignant statement: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care” (90:16). This encapsulates the essence of his leadership philosophy, emphasizing empathy and genuine concern as foundational to effective leadership.

Conclusion

Episode 53 of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table offers a deep dive into the nuanced roles of vulnerability and followership in leadership. Assistant Chief Scott Booth shares his journey, research findings, and practical strategies, providing listeners with actionable insights to enhance their leadership skills. By modeling vulnerability and fostering strong followership, Booth illustrates how leaders can build more cohesive, trusting, and effective teams, ultimately driving positive organizational and community outcomes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Scott Booth [00:01]:
  “There is such a tremendous freedom in simply saying, you know what, I don't know.”

• Scott Booth [08:11]:
  “The key is to recognize the signs when they come, those opportunities.”

• Scott Booth [37:47]:
  “As a leader, one should create opportunities for a team or crew to struggle together instead of relying on chance to offer those situations.”

• Scott Booth [43:28]:
  “You decide how to express that. But I want... to be a little more vulnerable than they're comfortable with.”

• Scott Booth [75:34]:
  “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Actionable Takeaways for Listeners

1. Recognize and Act on Opportunities: Stay prepared to seize unexpected opportunities, much like Booth did with the Pierce County position.
2. Embrace Vulnerability: Start small by admitting when you need help or don’t know something. This fosters trust and collaboration within your team.
3. Develop Emotional Intelligence: Engage in self-reflection and seek resources to enhance your emotional awareness and management.
4. Exemplify Good Followership: Demonstrate effective followership to build credibility and set a positive example for aspiring leaders.
5. Create Shared Struggles: Design training and team activities that challenge your team collectively, strengthening bonds and mutual support.
6. Model Empathy: Show genuine care for your team members by acknowledging their strengths and supporting their growth.
7. Continuous Learning: Utilize resources like books, podcasts, and training programs to continuously develop both hard and human skills.

By internalizing these principles, listeners can elevate their leadership effectiveness, contributing to stronger, more resilient teams capable of overcoming the challenges inherent in high-pressure professions like firefighting.