First in, Last Out : Leadership Lessons from the New York Fire Department

by Salka, John (Author); Neville, Barret (Introduction by); Smith, Dennis (Introduction by)

• ISBN13: 9781591840688
• ISBN10: 1591840686
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-31
• Publisher: Portfolio Trade

Summary

What does it take to lead people into a burning building? How do the leaders of the New York City Fire Department develop so much loyalty, trust, and grace under pressure that their subordinates will risk their very lives for them? As a high-ranking officer of the FDNY, John Salka is an expert at both practicing and teaching high-stakes leadership. In First In, Last Out, he explains the department's unique strategies and how they can be adopted by leaders in any field-as he has taught them to organizations around the country. In a tough-talking, no-nonsense style, Salka uses real-world stories to convey leadership imperatives such as: first in, last out-your people need to see you taking the biggest risk, as the first one to enter the danger zone and the last to leave manage change-the fire you fought yesterday is not the one you'll be fighting tomorrow communicate aggressively-a working radio is worth more than 20,000 gallons of water create an execution culture-focus your people on the flames, not the smoke commit to reality-never allow the way you would like things to be to color how things are develop your people-let them feel a little heat today or they'll get burned tomorrow Illustrated by harrowing real-life situations, the principles in First In, Last Out will help managers become more confident, coherent, and commanding. On the web: http://www.firstinleadership.com

Table of Contents

Introduction by Dennis Smith	xiii
1 You're the Chief	1	(12)
2 The Leadership Triangle	13	(18)
What is the foundation of great leadership?
3 Fueling the Leadership Fire	31	(12)
How do you take your leadership to the next level?
4 Don't Waste Your Water on Smoke	43	(14)
How do you get your people to focus on the things that matter?
5 Every Chief Needs a Radio, a White Helmet, and His People's Trust	57	(20)
How does trust help you get the most out of your people?
6 Know Their Names Before You Send Them into the Flames	77	(26)
How do you create strong connections with your people?
7 Making the Right Call When the Heat Is On	103	(20)
How do you make the right decisions?
8 No One Goes Home Until the Fire's Out	123	(20)
How do you lead for execution?
9 Fire Up Your People's Performance	143	(26)
How do you get your people to be fully engaged in their work?
10 The Fire You Beat Today Is Not the One You'll Face Tomorrow	169	(26)
How do you make uncertainty and flux work to your advantage?
11 Finding Your Top Whip	195	(14)
How can you develop leaders throughout your organization? And how will this help you be a more effective leader?
Conclusion	209	(2)
Notes	211	(4)
Bibliography	215	(2)
Index	217