#68 " Control The Controllable" With Matt Stansbury (MD)

Summary

In this conversation, Matt Stansbury shares his experiences as a firefighter and lieutenant, discussing the emotional impact of missing fires, the critical role of the backup fireman, and the importance of training and leadership on the fire ground. He emphasizes the need for teamwork, learning from mistakes, and building a strong, effective crew. The discussion highlights the challenges and responsibilities of being an officer, the significance of trust in team dynamics, and the continuous journey of growth and improvement in the firefighting profession. In this conversation, Matt Stansbury and Mike Nasti discuss the importance of trust and validation in leadership, particularly within the fire service. They emphasize the need for effective training that focuses on mastering the basics and making drills meaningful. The discussion also highlights the critical role of mentorship in personal and professional growth, with insights on how to choose the right mentors and the impact they can have on one's career.

Takeaways

Any fireman hates missing fires.

The backup guy plays the most important role.

Training for the worst case scenario is key.

Everybody brings something to the table.

You win some, you lose some, you make mistakes.

Trust your people, right?

The first engine sets the tone.

We're our own harshest critic.

Operational discipline should always be the priority.

You have to do all the little things right. Trust your team to make decisions and validate their skills.

Training is essential for proving oneself in the fire service.

Effective training should be meaningful and relevant to real scenarios.

Mastering the basics is crucial for handling advanced situations.

Mentorship plays a pivotal role in career development.

Choose mentors who embody the qualities you aspire to have.

Control the controllables to achieve success in promotions.

Your success should not be compared to others; focus on personal growth.

Aspire to be better and seek out those who inspire you.

The little things matter in achieving success on the fire ground.

Titles

The Emotional Toll of Missing Fires

The Importance of the Backup Fireman

Training for Success in Firefighting

Building a Championship Firefighting Team

Learning from Mistakes in Leadership

Trusting Your Crew as a Fire Officer

The Dynamics of Fire Ground Leadership

Sound Bites

"I think any fireman hates missing fires."

"The first engine sets the tone."

"Training for the worst case scenario is key."

"Everybody brings something to the table."

"You have to do all the little things right."

"We're our own harshest critic."

"Trust your people, right?"

"Trust your people to make good decisions."

"You have to validate things."

"Training is how you prove yourself."

"Make your training more meaningful."

"Mentorship has been pivotal in my career."

"You need to control the controllables."

"Pick mentors who care about the job."

"Your success isn't their success."

Chapters

00:00

The Emotional Toll of Missing Fires

02:06

Introduction to Matt Stansbury and His Experience

03:37

The Role of the Backup Fireman

11:37

Training and Leadership on the Fire Ground

21:29

Building a Championship Team

31:31

Learning from Mistakes and Growing as a Leader

39:06

Building Trust in Leadership

40:44

The Importance of Validation

43:03

Training as a Means of Validation

46:12

Making Training Meaningful

49:51

Mastering the Basics

52:23

The Role of Mentorship

58:39

Choosing the Right Mentor