Side Alpha Leadership
By David Polikoff
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Category: Management
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Subscribers: 4
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Episodes: 74
Description
"Because leadership isn't optional—it's the job. Whether you're stepping into your first officer role or you've been leading crews for years, this podcast is here to sharpen your edge. My guests and I dive into the real challenges of leading in the fire service—no ego, no fluff—just straight talk, hard lessons, and solid tools to help you lead with confidence, clarity, and grit."
Lead From the Front. Own the Fireground.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
|
Leadership Depends: Why One Style Doesn't Fit Every Firefighter
|
Jun 08, 2026 |
|
Leadership Is Behavior, Not a Badge
|
Dec 01, 2025 |
|
No Blueprint, No Excuses — How Real Leaders Build Systems That Last
|
Nov 01, 2025 |
|
Chief Lessons They Don't Teach You
|
Oct 01, 2025 |
|
If Your Size-Up Starts at Dispatch, You're Already Losing
|
Sep 01, 2025 |
|
"Stop Poisoning the Ranks: Tackling Toxic Leadership"
|
Aug 01, 2025 |
|
Volunteer firefighting and the hard look ahead
|
Jul 01, 2025 |
|
Rising Through the Ranks: Firefighter Leadership & Mentorship Uncovered
|
Jun 07, 2025 |
|
You want to be the best, you gotta train!
|
May 01, 2025 |
|
Urban Firefighting: Challenges and Solutions
|
Apr 07, 2025 |
|
Cultivating Leadership and Culture in the Fire Service
|
Mar 10, 2025 |
|
Bridging the Gap: Academics and Practical Experience
|
Feb 09, 2025 |
|
Mentorship, Leadership and high standards in the Fire Service
|
Jan 09, 2025 |
|
The past, the present and paying it forward with Chief John Norman
|
Dec 04, 2024 |
|
Hurry up and slow down, make a decision
|
Nov 06, 2024 |
|
Being the Truck Boss
|
Oct 06, 2024 |
|
Sleep deprived, anxiety and inflammation CBD can help
|
Sep 02, 2024 |
|
Change the culture by going back in time
|
Jul 16, 2024 |
|
Tactical Considerations for Garden Apartment Fires
|
Jun 06, 2024 |
|
The art of decision making
|
May 02, 2024 |
|
I'll take "what do firefighters hate" for $1000, What is change
|
Apr 01, 2024 |
|
Treat your people like you want to be treated
|
Mar 01, 2024 |
|
Your people deserve the best leaders. Train to be the best
|
Feb 01, 2024 |
|
Going old school with my dad
|
Jan 01, 2024 |
|
To make big changes you have to start small
|
Dec 01, 2023 |
|
The new guy, senior staff and expectations
|
Nov 01, 2023 |
|
Honest Communications, trust and good relationships = great morale
|
Oct 11, 2023 |
|
Who's the mentor, You're the mentor!
|
Sep 01, 2023 |
|
The Training Officer steers the ship
|
Aug 01, 2023 |
|
You say you take care of your people, but do you really?
|
Jul 05, 2023 |
|
Recruitment dilemma and Officer Development
|
Jun 08, 2023 |
|
Where Police and Fire intersect
|
May 10, 2023 |
|
My random thoughts on fire service life and getting promoted
|
Apr 16, 2023 |
|
EEO and the Fire Service
|
Mar 06, 2023 |
|
Leadership learned through the eyes of a Coast Guardsmen
|
Feb 01, 2023 |
|
Risk Management, in the fire service and the world
|
Jan 07, 2023 |
|
Navigating the minefield of a bad boss
|
Dec 01, 2022 |
|
Learn, Lead and Pass it on
|
Nov 01, 2022 |
|
Who helps the helpers
|
Oct 03, 2022 |
|
Why does the boss Micromanage
|
Sep 10, 2022 |
|
Leading Through Training
|
Aug 07, 2022 |
|
Combination Systems in the fire department
|
Jul 16, 2022 |
|
How do we communicate with each other
|
Jun 05, 2022 |
|
Once a Marine and now a Firefighter Pt. 3
|
May 02, 2022 |
|
Once a Marine always a Marine and now a Firefighter Part 2
|
Apr 10, 2022 |
|
Once a Marine always a Marine, and now a Firefighter too!
|
Apr 01, 2022 |
|
Forget about all that macho S@&T and learn how to play guitar
|
Mar 15, 2022 |
|
A reflection on 2021
|
Dec 03, 2021 |
|
You and your organization
|
Nov 07, 2021 |
|
Need a mentor? Be a mentor. Back step to Boss
|
Oct 01, 2021 |
|
It's Promotional Season How do I get promoted
|
Sep 07, 2021 |
|
Being a good parent starts with setting a good example
|
Aug 01, 2021 |
|
Control and Influence
|
Jul 01, 2021 |
|
L E A D E R S
|
Jun 01, 2021 |
|
Putting the right training out there
|
May 01, 2021 |
|
The Prime Directive
|
Apr 01, 2021 |
|
Communication and decision making
|
Mar 05, 2021 |
|
Communications
|
Feb 05, 2021 |
|
Are you a leader or Boss?
|
Jan 09, 2021 |
|
Training is the foundation of the fire service
|
Dec 01, 2020 |
|
Take care of of your people
|
Nov 01, 2020 |
|
Succession planning, building the future of the fire service
|
Oct 01, 2020 |
|
From Rookie to the Fire Chief
|
Sep 01, 2020 |
|
The difference between an amature and a professional is hard work and training
|
Aug 01, 2020 |
|
Humility, Relationships, and Ego through the eyes of a Navy SEAL
|
Jun 22, 2020 |
|
Consistency, Humility and listen
|
May 07, 2020 |
|
Connecting with your people/ Setting expectations
|
Apr 06, 2020 |
|
The many intersections of leadership
|
Mar 09, 2020 |
|
Military Leadership lessons
|
Feb 10, 2020 |
|
Mentoring your people
|
Jan 16, 2020 |
|
Fire Service Leadership and respect and how to get there
|
Aug 28, 2019 |
|
Rock and Roll Hair Stylist
|
Jul 15, 2019 |
|
Building Construction
|
May 25, 2019 |
|
Hospice and Palliative Care
|
Apr 15, 2019 |