Podcast
Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table
Hosted by Berlin Maza · EN
Captain Berlin Maza & Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mack sit down with leaders in all professions and industries from across the country to have leadership conversations at the firehouse kitchen table!
Leaders share their stories, philosophies and perspectives on leadership. They talk about their non-negotiable behaviors, actions and traits, as well as offer action items for newer employees, emerging leaders, and senior members of organizations to grow as leaders!
52episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 81: Mark Niemeyer, Fire Chief - Succession Planning & Culture
Oct 200:47:25Summary readyFire Chief Mark Niemeyer of the Boise Fire Department discusses Succession Planning & Culture. Understand that your leadership path does not have to be traditional. Winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing. Train your people so well that they can go anywhere, but treat them so well they won't. A fire chief's #1 job is to 1) Layout the vision, #2) motivate your people and #3) Support them. All FF's should find themselves smiling more than you complain!
SummaryEp. 80: Shane Smith, Deputy Chief - Leading through Adversity
Sep 2501:18:34Summary readyDeputy Chief Shane Smith of Twin Falls, Idaho AdversityHumility
SummaryEp. 79: Tim Rogers, Battalion Chief (ret.) & Greg Elmore, Senior Master Sergeant (ret.) - Leading is your Job no Matter What your Job is
Sep 1901:35:28Summary readyBattalion Chief Tim Rogers (ret.) of Charlotte Fire Dept. & Senior Master Sergeant of the Air Force Greg Elmore (ret.) dive deep into the topic of how "Leadership is your job no matter what your job is." It is never too early to start learning leadership. Leaders have got to start building a culture of learning and a culture of leadership. Don't let the business get in the way of leadership!
SummaryEp. 78: Brian Fennessy, Fire Chief - Mission Driven Culture
Sep 401:07:20Summary readyFire Chief Brian Fennessy of Orange County Fire Authority discusses the Mission Drive Culture, the Orange County Fire Way and Leader's Intent. The chief emphasizes that leadership is a journey, and that investing in leadership development matters. Even when organizations don't or can't, individuals must invest in themselves. Authenticity and empathy are critical traits in leadership!
SummaryEp. 77: Phil Jose, Deputy Chief (ret.) - Curiosity
Aug 2101:58:16Summary readyRetired Deputy Chief of Seattle Fire Department Phil Jose discusses Curiosity as a required leadership trait. "Replace judgement with curiosity!" Chief Jose teaches internationally on the Art of Reading Smoke, Tactical Decision-making, and Instructional Craftsmanship: Building your Expertise and Ability at the Front of the Room. Leaders must learn the art of teaching to be effective. Leaders must fulfill their oath by using all of their resources around them to deliver the best service possible.
SummaryEp. 76: Nathan Travis, Battalion Chief - Unexpected Leadership
Aug 11, 202500:57:58Summary readyBattalion Chief Nathan Travis of Little Rock Fire Department in Arkansas talks Unexpected Leadership. Leadership means serving everybody. Leaders should know the role above them and step up and take on roles even if you don't want them. Chief Travis suggests to grow, you should feel like 1) you don't belong in the room, 2) you aren't the smartest in the room and 3) you are uncomfortable. Those 3 things will help you grow in your career faster than you imagined . Not everyone is about the wins. Failures speak louder than your achievements. Server everyone and respect everyone!
SummaryEp. 75: Scott Thompson, Fire Chief - Mentorship
Jul 14, 202501:23:01Summary readyFDIC 2024 Keynote Speaker & Fire Chief Scott Thompson of The Colony Fire Department in Texas goes all in discussing leadership and mentorship in the fire service. Leadership starts with looking in the mirror. 3 things every leader needs to be able to do: #1) Understand yourself, #2) Understand the organizational influences and #3) Understand people. Mentorship is a privilege that requires investing and sacrificing.
SummaryEp. 74: Justin Grimes, Fire Chief - Relationships
Jul 6, 202501:11:03Summary readyFire Chief of Cocoa Beach Fire Department in Florida talks about relationships, developing them and creating them. He talks about the concept of being firefighter led, and chief fed. This will lead to trust, empowerment and collaboration. Be like a Banyan Tree of strength, interconnectedness and resilience to build a solid foundation leading to alignment within your organization!
SummaryEp. 73: Tim Kreis, Executive Assistant Chief & Tim Gammage Jr, Captain/Executive Vice President - Labor & Management Relationships
Jun 28, 202501:46:06Summary readyLabor & Management Team of the Phoenix Fire Department - Executive Assistant Chief Tim Kreis and Captain/Executive Vice President Tim Gammage Jr. team up in today's conversation to talk about the importance and successes of the Labor & Management Relationship. Discussion dives into the leadership depth within the Phoenix Fire Department over the last 40+ years. Adversity does not build character, it reveals it. Management is going to share authority and labor is going to accept responsibility. "Take ownership, not membership." Labor & Management together, should always be looking to do what is best for the firefighters and safety, and what is the best for customer service.
SummaryEp. 72: John Lovato Jr, Battalion Chief - Chase your Experience
Jun 1, 202501:21:05Summary readyBattalion Chief John Lovato Jr. of the City of St. Myers Fire Department in Florida talks about chasing your own experience and don't wait around for it. The author of Fix your Firehouse, founder of Brotherhoodcoaching.com, and host of the John Lovato Show, chief says you are either winning or you are losing! Always remember that being curious and having conversations are both learned skills.
Summary