Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table
Episode 68: Steven Dubay, Deputy Fire Chief (ret.) - Learn from Everywhere
Host: Berlin Maza
Release Date: April 1, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 68 of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table, host Berlin Maza sits down with retired Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Dube from Colorado Springs. The episode delves deep into Chief Dube's extensive 39-year career in the fire service, his leadership philosophies, and the central theme of "Never Stop Learning and Learn from Everywhere."

Chief Stephen Dube's Background

Chief Dube provides a comprehensive overview of his career and personal journey:

• Early Life and Career Beginnings (00:01 - 05:46):

  • Born in suburban Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Casper, Wyoming at age 12.
  • Began his firefighting career at 21 with the Casper Fire Department.
  • Transitioned to the Colorado Springs Fire Department after Casper faced layoffs due to a contracting energy economy.
  • Climbed the ranks from firefighter to deputy fire chief over 36 years in Colorado Springs.
  • Oversaw various departments, including medical training, human resources, emergency management, communications, and accreditation.

• Retirement and Continued Involvement (05:46 - 08:11):

  • Splits time between Colorado Springs and northwest Wyoming.
  • Actively involved in accreditation site visits and serves on the National Fire Academy's Board of Visitors.
  • Emphasizes giving back to the profession that shaped him.

Never Stop Learning and Learn from Everywhere

Chief Dube passionately discusses the importance of continuous learning:

• Lifelong Learning Philosophy (11:54 - 16:45):

  • "Every day I went to work, I was learning something new. If I wasn't, then I needed to check myself..." (16:45).
  • Emphasizes formal education and self-education through journals, podcasts, and trade journals.

• Practical Approaches to Continuous Learning (14:03 - 21:07):

  • Started journaling emergency calls as a young firefighter to reflect and learn.
  • As a chief officer, regularly self-assessed decisions and sought diverse perspectives to avoid stagnation.

Leadership Lessons and Practices

Chief Dube shares invaluable leadership insights drawn from his experiences:

• Humility and Self-Awareness (24:30 - 25:48):

  • "Never stop learning and having an open mind. It doesn't matter whether somebody's older than you or younger than you..."
  • Acknowledges his own shortcomings and the importance of humility in leadership.

• Feedback and Personal Growth (48:33 - 57:07):

  • Narrates a pivotal experience where the mayor provided unexpected feedback on his leadership.
  • Used the critique as a mirror to self-reflect and improve, showcasing the power of embracing constructive criticism.

Mentorship and Learning Across Ranks

The discussion highlights the significance of mentorship and cross-generational learning:

• Learning from All Levels (22:12 - 33:36):

  • Chief Dube recounts how an 18-year veteran battalion chief reached out to him, fostering mutual learning despite the age and experience gap.
  • Encourages leaders to seek mentorship from unexpected sources, including those younger or less experienced.

• Adapting to Adult Learning Styles (33:36 - 43:08):

  • Stresses the importance of recognizing diverse learning styles in adult firefighters.
  • Describes efforts at Colorado Springs Fire Department to train instructors in adult learning methodologies to better educate recruits.

Adapting to Different Learning Styles

Chief Dube emphasizes the need to tailor educational approaches to suit adult learners:

• Evolving Educational Methods (37:02 - 41:48):

  • Advocates for "train the trainer" programs to equip instructors with effective teaching techniques.
  • Highlights the transition from traditional lecture-based training to more interactive and feedback-driven methods.

• Continuous Improvement in Training (43:08 - 47:07):

  • Describes the evolution of training protocols at Colorado Springs, incorporating task books and hands-on assessments to enhance learning outcomes.

Relationship Building and Communication

Building strong relationships and effective communication is paramount in leadership:

• Importance of Relationships (92:03 - 94:35):

  • "Relationships matter. They're incredibly important. How you communicate with people is incredibly impactful. Words matter."
  • Shares personal struggles with relationship building and underscores its critical role in leadership effectiveness.

• Modeling Behavior (83:47 - 86:45):

  • Advises chief officers to attend training alongside their crews to stay connected and informed.
  • Emphasizes that leaders are constantly being observed and must model positive behavior both on and off duty.

Action Items for Listeners

Chief Dube provides actionable advice tailored to different roles within the fire service:

• For Young Firefighters (78:03 - 79:56):

  • "Be open-minded and keep your eyes and ears open. Be a sponge, take in as much information as you can."
  • Encourages embracing opportunities for learning and observing experienced peers.

• For Emerging Leaders (79:56 - 83:35):

  • Invest in personal development by attending conferences and seeking out training opportunities.
  • Establish clear expectations with your crew and hold everyone accountable, including yourself.

• For Chief Officers (83:47 - 87:54):

  • Continue learning even after reaching senior ranks by participating in training and staying updated with current practices.
  • Focus on building and maintaining strong relationships, and communicate thoughtfully to model desired behaviors.

Leadership Challenge

Chief Dube extends a leadership challenge to Fire Chief Matt Love of the St. Cloud, Minnesota Fire Department:

• Encouraging Diverse Perspectives (88:25 - 90:52):
  • Recommends Chief Love for his innovative approach and emphasis on being a "community-centered people organization."
  • Highlights Chief Love's achievements and his focus on fostering strong relationships within the fire department.

Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Chief Dube concludes with profound reflections on leadership and personal growth:

• Emphasizing Relationships and Continuous Learning (94:35 - 96:18):

  • "Relationships matter. They're incredibly important. How you communicate with people is incredibly impactful. Words matter."
  • Reiterates the theme of lifelong learning and the importance of learning from diverse sources and experiences.

• Closing Message (96:18 - End):

  • "Make this career a lifelong learning opportunity and use information and that education from all around you and especially from people below you in the organization."
  • Expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his experiences and hopes listeners find actionable insights to enhance their leadership journeys.

Notable Quotes:

• Chief Stephen Dube (16:45):
  "Every day I went to work, I was learning something new. If I wasn't, then I needed to check myself and think, you know, think back. What did I learn today?"

• Chief Stephen Dube (22:12):
  "You can learn from everywhere. We can talk about that in a minute. I can expand on that."

• Chief Stephen Dube (24:30):
  "Never stop learning and having an open mind. It doesn't matter whether somebody's older than you or younger than you..."

• Chief Stephen Dube (57:07):
  "One of the interesting things about leadership is I could talk all day long about what kind of leader I am and my leadership philosophy... but that opinion of myself isn't necessarily how I'm viewed or how I'm seen by other people."

• Chief Stephen Dube (83:47):
  "You're always being watched. So what you say, what you do, how you behave, you're modeling the behavior every minute of every day when you're at work."

• Chief Stephen Dube (92:03):
  "Relationships matter. They're incredibly important. How you communicate with people is incredibly impactful. Words matter."

Conclusion

Episode 68 of Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for leaders across all levels of the fire service. Chief Stephen Dube's emphasis on continuous learning, humility, relationship-building, and embracing diverse perspectives serves as a compelling guide for those striving to excel in their leadership roles. Whether you're a young firefighter, an emerging leader, or a seasoned chief officer, Chief Dube's insights provide actionable strategies to foster personal growth and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on leadership from professionals across various industries, right here at The Kitchen Table!