Undisclosed Agents Podcast #26 Preston Lyons - Check Your Ego
Jun 3, 2024
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Preston Lyons, a Navy veteran turned firefighter/paramedic, discusses core firefighter values, setting non-negotiable tasks for success, creating a positive culture in the fire service, embracing rejection for personal growth, and the importance of humility and martial arts training for firefighters.
New firefighters need mentoring programs for growth and overcoming challenges.
Balancing accountability and support is crucial for positive culture in fire service.
Toxic behaviors harm team dynamics; trust, mentorship, and feedback are vital.
Continuous learning, feedback, and collaboration enhance teamwork and performance in fire service.
Deep dives
Creating a Supportive Environment for New Firefighters
New firefighters face challenges as they join a fire department, from being a rookie to struggling with training. While a little razzing is common, constant negativity affects their growth. Mentoring programs and good leadership are vital in creating a positive culture.
Promoting a Culture of Accountability and Support
Balancing accountability and support is crucial in the fire service. While some banter can strengthen camaraderie, it should not overshadow the need for mutual respect and encouragement. Fostering an environment where failure is a stepping stone to growth is essential for overall improvement.
Addressing Toxic Behaviors in the Firehouse
Toxic behaviors like humiliating rookies and gossiping at the kitchen table can harm team dynamics. Encouraging a culture of trust, mentorship, and constructive feedback is vital for a healthy work environment. Disrespect and negativity towards colleagues can impact morale and productivity.
Improving Training Culture and Building Trust
Encouraging a culture of continuous learning and development is crucial in the fire service. Providing constructive feedback and support during training sessions can help firefighters grow and excel. Emphasizing the importance of trust and collaboration enhances teamwork and performance.
Bridging the Gap Between Fire Conferences and Reality
Navigating the aftermath of fire conferences where newfound motivation fades can be challenging. Integrating conference learnings into daily practices and maintaining communication can help sustain the enthusiasm and knowledge gained. Creating a supportive network post-conference aids in applying insights to actual scenarios.
Importance of Fire Conferences
Attending fire conferences has a significant impact as it opens doors to valuable knowledge and networking opportunities. The speaker highlights the transformational experience at a conference where exposure to expert trainers and intense learning moments sparked a newfound enthusiasm and dedication. This led to a strong advocacy for conference attendance within their department, emphasizing its crucial role in professional growth and organizational development. Despite initial resistance from colleagues, the speaker's zeal for promoting such events gradually evolved, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and sharing of insights.
Checking Ego and Embracing SOPs
The podcast delves into the importance of checking one's ego and understanding the significance of departmental SOPs. The speaker reflects on personal challenges related to ego-driven behaviors, such as labeling non-attendees negatively and imposing conference attendance as a benchmark for firefighting dedication. Through self-reflection and recognition of individual limitations, the speaker highlights the need to align personal enthusiasm with organizational protocols. Understanding and respecting SOPs emerge as essential for initiating positive changes and fostering collaborative work environments.
Benefit of Jiu-Jitsu for Firefighters
Exploring the transformative impact of Jiu-Jitsu on firefighters, the podcast emphasizes its contributions to physical and mental fortitude. Jiu-Jitsu serves as a stress-inoculation platform, enhancing problem-solving skills and stress management in high-pressure scenarios. The speaker underscores how training in Jiu-Jitsu aids in humility, adaptability, and teamwork, paralleling essential skills required in firefighting operations. The practice of Jiu-Jitsu is portrayed as a holistic tool for personal and professional development, fostering resilience, calmness, and effective decision-making under challenging circumstances.
Preston has served as a firefighter/paramedic at North Metro Fire in Colorado for nine years. He is a 10-year Navy veteran and got his start in firefighting as an aircraft crash and salvage firefighter onboard the flight decks of aircraft carriers during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Then had his first exposure to structure firefighting in the 850 as a volunteer firefighter in Escambia County, FL in 2010. Preston is also the creator of Fit Fire Fortitude on Instagram but has recently rebranded and created a podcast under the name Relentless Rejects. we’ll dive into this topic and several others, including his recently published article “When fire conferences meet reality” referenced in the show notes. Preston is a driven non nonsense firefighter who holds himself and others around him accountable through his actions not just his words. Preston has some thought provoking ideas and we had an excellent conversation.
