In this conversation, Frank Viscuso shares his journey in the fire service and his insights on leadership. He emphasizes the importance of learning from others' experiences rather than solely relying on personal experience. Viscuso discusses the challenges of leadership, the significance of communication, and the need for self-awareness and personal standards. He also highlights the passion of young firefighters and the impact of social media on their development. The conversation concludes with a call to action for redefining leadership development and the importance of hard conversations in fostering growth.

• Experience is not the best teacher; other people's experience is.
• Control the controllables and focus on what you can change.
• Good communication is essential for effective leadership.
• Don't let negative environments change who you are.
• Self-awareness is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Passion drives young firefighters to excel in their roles.
• Leadership development should be a continuous process.
• Social media can distract young firefighters from their goals.
• Hard conversations are necessary for growth and improvement.
• Creating the life you want requires intentional action.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Frank Viscuso

03:01 The Importance of Learning from Experience

05:51 Navigating Leadership Challenges

09:09 The Role of Communication in Leadership

11:55 Building Relationships in Leadership

15:04 The Impact of Environment on Leadership

17:57 Self-Awareness and Personal Standards

20:52 The Role of Passion in the Fire Service

24:03 Redefining Leadership Development

26:50 The Influence of Social Media on Young Firefighters

30:11 The Importance of Hard Conversations

33:02 Conclusion and Future Perspectives

In this episode, Kerry and Kyle reflect on their experiences at the 2026 TEEX Leadership Symposium. They discuss the importance of teamwork, the support they received, and the engaging conversations they had with keynote speakers. The hosts share personal growth stories, highlight memorable moments, and emphasize the value of learning from others in leadership roles. They also touch on the significance of sharing experiences and insights with their audience, encouraging continued engagement and conversation.

Takeaways

• The TEEX Leadership Symposium was a rewarding experience.
• Teamwork and support were crucial to the event's success.
• Engaging with keynote speakers provided valuable insights.
• Personal growth and mentorship were highlighted during the symposium.
• Memorable conversations left a lasting impact on the hosts.
• Leadership lessons can be learned from various industries.
• Sharing experiences helps others avoid mistakes.
• The importance of simple leadership principles was emphasized.
• Listeners are encouraged to engage and share their thoughts.
• Future episodes will continue the conversation with more guests.

In this conversation, Buck Showalter shares his insights on leadership drawn from his extensive experience in baseball. He emphasizes the importance of learning from both successes and failures, the need for authenticity and trust in leadership, and the significance of developing young leaders. Showalter discusses the challenges leaders face, the role of intuition in decision-making, and the value of surrounding oneself with the right people. He concludes with a reminder that leadership is about real experiences and genuine connections.

takeaways

• Leadership lessons are universal across industries.
• Experience is gained through both successes and failures.
• Surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial.
• Effort is a key differentiator in performance.
• Trust is built through authenticity and honesty.
• Young leaders need guidance and strong examples.
• Intuition plays a significant role in decision-making.
• Delegating authority can strengthen leadership.
• Communication is vital in building relationships.
• Leadership is about real experiences and connections.