Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table
Episode 60: Randy Brugman, Fire Chief (ret.) - Pay it Forward & Leave it Better
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Hosts: Captain Berlin Maza & Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack
Guest: Randy Brugman, Founder of the Leadership Crucible Foundation
Introduction
In the 60th episode of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table, hosts Captain Berlin Maza and Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack welcome retired Fire Chief Randy Brugman. The conversation centers around pivotal leadership concepts such as paying it forward, leaving organizations better than they found them, and distinguishing between personal success and lasting significance. Throughout the discussion, Brugman shares his extensive experience in the fire service, emphasizing the critical need for robust leadership development within fire departments.
Guest Background
Randy Brugman brings over 27 years of leadership experience in the fire service, culminating in his role as Fire Chief in Anaheim, California. He is the founder of the Leadership Crucible Foundation and has authored five books and over 50 articles on leadership and change management. Brugman's leadership credentials include serving as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and President of the Board of Directors for the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
“A real leadership crisis” [00:01] - Brugman sets the stage by highlighting the urgent need for effective leadership within the fire service.
The Leadership Crisis in the Fire Service
Brugman delves into the leadership crisis plaguing fire departments across the nation. He attributes this crisis to a lack of emphasis on leadership development compared to tactical training.
“Our company officer, our chief officers, I mean they're the best of the best. Right. You put those same people in the firehouse and tell them to lead a fire company and they really struggle with it because they don't know they've been really trained.” [16:35]
He explains that while operational training is robust, the managerial and leadership aspects are often neglected, creating a gap in effective leadership within fire organizations.
Importance of Investing in Leadership Development
Brugman emphasizes the necessity of investing in leadership to cultivate a culture that is adaptable and forward-thinking.
“It's about really investing in your culture. And you've got to build a culture that's going to be very, very adaptable and responsive to change in the future.” [24:05]
He argues that leadership training should focus on strategic thinking, courageous conversations, and change management to prepare organizations for the challenges of the 21st century.
Building a Diverse and Inclusive Culture
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around diversity and inclusion within the fire service. Brugman advocates for removing traditional barriers to entry to ensure that fire departments reflect the communities they serve.
“We hire out of the same gene pool all the time. We go to the local colleges, we test, we create all of these barriers to entry with certifications and things like that. And if we really want to diversify our thought process in our organizations and be reflective of our communities, we need to get rid of all of that.” [24:48]
He shares his experience from Fresno, where simplifying hiring requirements led to a more diverse workforce:
“We changed it to, you could have to have a GED and not have a felony. So, yeah, very basic. We'll train, we'll train you to do everything else.” [25:16]
Brugman introduces the concept of "DIV," encompassing Diversity, Inclusiveness, Opportunity, and Accountability, as foundational elements for building a robust and diverse fire service workforce.
Pay It Forward & Building Legacy
Central to Brugman's leadership philosophy are the principles of paying it forward and leaving it better.
“Always pay it forward to others and leave any situation you find better. If you do those two things, at the end of the day, you're going to look back and you'll have made a difference.” [33:10]
He underscores the importance of creating a lasting legacy by making decisions that benefit future generations rather than seeking immediate personal gains. This mindset ensures that leadership contributions have a lasting positive impact on the organization and its members.
Mentorship and Networking
Brugman highlights the critical role of mentorship and networking in developing effective leaders.
“I always encourage people to get two or three mentors and, you know, maybe one that's more on a personal piece of it and try and get people that have. Bring different perspectives so that you can bounce ideas off of them.” [42:05]
He advises leaders to cultivate a diverse network both within and outside the fire service, enabling them to gain varied perspectives and advice. Mentors should challenge mentees to think critically and provide guidance without dictating solutions, fostering independent and thoughtful leadership.
Advice for Emerging Leaders, Company Officers, and Chief Officers
For Firefighters (Emerging Leaders): Brugman advises firefighters to lead themselves as a foundational step towards effective leadership.
“Lead yourself. You have to know yourself and know what's right and what's wrong and be able to stand up and say, I don't agree with that and, or I'm not going to do that.” [47:05]
For Company Officers: He encourages company officers to step out of their comfort zones to foster personal and professional growth.
“Get out of your comfort zone. You have to push yourself to continue to learn new things and get yourself outside of your comfort zone so that you can, that's where you progress.” [48:41]
For Chief Officers: Brugman emphasizes the importance of long-term vision and strategic planning.
“What do I need to do to make an impact on the people that I work with, not only in the short term, but the long term. What do I need to do differently or what do I need to learn so that I can impact my organization in a positive way for the long term.” [55:01]
He urges chief officers to focus on building a legacy that benefits future leaders and the organization as a whole, rather than merely managing day-to-day operations.
Recommended Readings
Brugman shares several books that have significantly influenced his leadership style:
-
Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf
“He was far ahead of his time. In fact, I think if you go back and read that book now, a lot of what, especially Gen Z is Looking for is servant leadership philosophy.” [59:00] -
Paradigms by Joel Barker
“It really made me step back and start to look at things in a different way.” [59:10] -
21 Laws of Irrefutable Leadership by John Maxwell
“He just kind of walks through those 21 laws of, of effective leadership.” [61:36] -
Halftime by Bob Buford
“It's about, you know, what are you going to do with the rest of it.” [61:53]
Additionally, Brugman recommends his own works, such as Advanced Fire Administration, which delves deeper into topics like community risk reduction and fire prevention.
Closing Thoughts
Brugman leaves listeners with profound insights on leadership:
“Being able to lead others is a real gift. You really have an opportunity to impact and influence the trajectory that they're going to have in their life. From a leadership perspective, if you keep that in mind and you hold dear that it's never about you, it's about them and it's about the organization, then I think you'll make a big difference throughout your career.” [68:00]
He underscores the importance of striving for significance over personal success, learning from failures, and continuously seeking growth opportunities.
“If you can't accept failure, don't get into a leadership position.” [69:35]
Final Recommendations
Brugman encourages all leaders to seek mentorship, explore diverse perspectives, and commit to continuous personal and organizational improvement. By adopting these principles, fire service leaders can navigate the evolving challenges of their profession and build a legacy of excellence and inclusivity.
For more resources, visit the Leadership Crucible Foundation website, which offers newsletters, webinars, and curriculum development tailored for leadership growth.
Notable Quotes:
- “Pay it forward to others and leave any situation you find better.” [33:10]
- “Lead yourself. You have to know yourself and know what's right and what's wrong.” [47:05]
- “Get out of your comfort zone... that's where you progress.” [48:41]
- “If you can't accept failure, don't get into a leadership position.” [69:35]
This episode serves as a crucial reminder of the pivotal role leadership plays in the fire service, advocating for intentional development, diversity, and the cultivation of a lasting legacy that benefits both individuals and organizations for generations to come.