Recognizing strengths and weaknesses, getting a Dalmatian, and the therapeutic benefits of having a dog

Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso (ret.) served more than 26 years as a professional firefighter in New Jersey. He is a columnist for Fire Engineering magazine and the author of ten leadership books, including Amazon best-sellers Step Up and Lead, Step Up Your Teamwork, Flash Point: Ignite Your Team and Forge a Winning Culture and Common Valor.  Summary This conversation discusses the importance of leadership in the fire service and the need for leaders to be educated, competent, and prepared. It emphasizes the value of surrounding yourself with the right people and allowing them to do their jobs. The conversation also highlights the significance of continuous training and the basics in the fire service. It addresses the challenges of dealing with criticism and keyboard warriors on social media. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of being an asset, not a liability, and the power of positive influence in the fire service. This conversation covers various topics related to leadership, including water rescue training, the importance of training and preparation, recognizing and appreciating strengths in others, dealing with people who are not good, developing situational awareness with people, the impact of social media on reputation, learning from past mistakes and regrets, the power of listening and observing, being authentic and true to yourself, the four steps to leadership, the role of adaptability in leadership, and the impact of decision-making in high-stress situations. Takeaways: Leaders in the fire service must be educated, competent, and prepared. Surround yourself with the right people and trust them to do their jobs. Continuous training and preparation are essential in the fire service. Dealing with criticism and keyboard warriors is a challenge, but it's important to stay focused on your goals. Be an asset, not a liability, and strive to have a positive influence on your team. Chapters 00:00 Confusing Position with Experience 02:27 The Importance of Being Educated, Competent, and Prepared 03:51 Putting the Right People in the Right Positions 05:39 The Power of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People 08:33 Being an Asset, Not a Liability 10:34 Observing and Backing Up Your Team 12:01 The Value of Different Perspectives 13:21 The Importance of Listening and Learning16:16The Power of Positive Influence 19:29 The Necessity of Continuous Training and Preparation 23:05 Dealing with Criticism and Keyboard Warriors 25:35 The Basics and Mechanics of the Fire Service 29:57 Being Prepared for Any Situation 33:43 The Fire Service's Super Bowl Moments 37:24 The Test of Leadership in Unexpected Calls 40:19 The Well-Oiled Machine of a Successful Fireground 42:43 Water Rescue Training and Lifeguarding 45:05 The Importance of Training and Preparation 46:38 Recognizing and Appreciating Strengths in Others 48:30 The Value of Honest and Blunt Feedback 51:19 Dealing with People Who Are Not Good 52:25 Developing Situational Awareness with People 54:19 The Importance of Respect and Appreciation 56:29 The Impact of Social Media on Reputation 57:38 Learning from Past Mistakes and Regrets 01:00:05 The Power of Listening and Observing 01:02:34 Being Authentic and True to Yourself 01:05:03 The Importance of Validation and Appreciation 01:08:21 The Four Steps to Leadership 01:10:15 The Role of Adaptability in Leadership 01:19:09 The Impact of Decision-Making in High-Stress Situations Contact Frank: www.frankviscuso.com