Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table Berlin Maza

Disney Executive Lee Cockerell reveals the magic of Disney customer service. From poor farm kid to running Disney operations, Lee talks about the importance of having a good attitude, being reliable and having empathy. EVERYONE is watching! The secret is to hire the right people, train them right and treat them right! Don't underestimate your influence in the world, negative or positive, and don't underestimate what you can achieve in your life. Go be great!

Fire Chief Matthew Vinci of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue talks about the importance of networking, building relationships and listening to perspectives in order to get things done. Everybody at the table adds value, whether you agree or disagree with them and the lack of inclusion is simply a non-negotiable. Matthew talks about the strength in "pausing" in decision-making. The 24hr rule is often necessary, not just for yourself to think things through, but also to allow your team to think things through. "If you take care of your people, they will take care of the community!"

Fire Chief Mark Emery (ret.) of East Valley Fire District talks the Essentials of Honorable Leadership. He emphasizes that leadership is not synonymous with management and supervision, and leaders must differentiate between the two. Leadership is the influence of yourself and you take it with you everywhere you go. He quotes legendary coach and leader John Wooden in that "Success is peace of mind that is a direct result of self satisfaction and knowing that you make the effort to do the best of which are capable." Chief Emery also talks Integrated Tactical Accountability System (ITAC), Risk Assessment, the Passport Accountability System and more!

Battalion Chief Gary Barker of Valley Regional Fire Authority and Training Battalion Chief of Operations at the South King County Fire Training Consortium dives into "Old School Leadership" philosophies. Gary talks about how to become a respected officer, as well as the two traits that the most effective officers have in common: Being good at your job & being good with people! He emphasizes that many officers have one or the other, and to become a strong leader, one must strive to become competent in both!

Battalion Chief Ben Thompson of Birmingham Fire Department in Alabama unpacks his leadership philosophy on "to lead is to live dangerously." Don't become the lid and if you don't find yourself tired at the end of the day, you aren't doing enough as a leader. If you promote and you get the sense or feeling that you've "made it," you will not be an effective leader. Chief Thompson also emphasizes that if you are the best person for a particular job or position, you should put yourself in that position instead of looking for a way out, because as leaders, it is your duty to serve.

President Maia Earle and Dr. Brittany Hollerbach of The Beltane Guild join the show to discuss firefighter reproductive health. The nonprofit organization works in collaboration with firefighters and researchers from across the country to raise awareness, improve safety measures, re-write policy to protect our nation’s firefighters and provide grants to firefighters needing fertility treatment. Maia and Brittany talk about some modifiable risk factors, as well as the importance of being advocates within your department regarding the benefits for employees even if it does not affect you directly. The Beltane Guild has resources and information for you today. Visit www.thebeltaneguild.org for more!