Leadership Lessons on Expectations and Communication in the Fire Service

Fire Engineering Podcast Network

In this episode of Perspectives on Leadership, host Steve Shaw sits down Mark von Appen, a retired fire captain from California. Von Appen is a respected voice known for his leadership blog, Fully Involved. During their discussion, they explore the vital role of clear expectations in firefighter leadership and team success. Drawing on 30 years of experience and deep reflection, Shaw and von Appen discuss how trust and communication form the foundation in firehouse culture and effective leadership. Von Appen shares how conversations with his football-coach father shaped his approach and why assumptions cripple team dynamics. The pair also tackle challenges unique to today’s multigenerational workforce, emphasizing face-to-face connection amid digital distractions. Both leaders stress the importance of owning mistakes, recalibrating failed initiatives through honest dialogue, and providing outlets for passionate firefighters to avoid burnout.
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