First In, Last Out

Leadership Lessons from the New York Fire Department

By: John Salka Battalion Chief FDNY, Dennis Smith - Introduction by, Barret Neville - With

Narrated by: John Salka

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's 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

©2004 John Salka, Barret Neville (P)2021 Tantor

Gave me a different outlook

This book was real informative it gave me a different look on how to be a better leader. Even though am not in the fire service I’ve been using some techniques from that book

Good start

Well known Chief in the Fire Service with good advice on the subject matter. Good base to build off of if you’re just looking into developing leadership skills.

Spoken From The Heart

Chief Salka lays out the tenets of collaborative, nurturing, uplifting, powerful leadership in a straightforward style with numerous examples. A transformative book for formal leaders, informal leaders, parents and others responsible for the success of a team.

Great read

Great book on leadership especially for new company Officers and anyone interested in becoming a leader in all aspects

Outstanding resource

If you are aspiring to be a leader this will be a great resource for you. More importantly if you are currently in a leadership position and struggling or just not moving the way you feel you should be First In, Last Out may help you improve yourself as a leader. I read or listen to many different leadership books and this one has a lot of solid guidance. Enjoy and learn!

Very Good.

Solid principles of finding the root of problem,
seek advice of others, seek disagreement,
be respected not loved, clear comms,
accountability, giving people
freedom to make their own choices,
explaining the why.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it lacked that indescribable quality of getting me fired up about these principles. Low energy type of feeling. Overall solid and worth checking out.

Awesome

I’m a new captain, this book has helped me grow as a captain and a person.

A Book for Leaders & Officers

This book explains a non-BS approach to being a leader. This isn't a book to study from but a book you should read when you feel you want to impact your department. Take the to absorb everything the Chief says.

great leadership point of view

very much enjoyed this listen from a very relatable point of view. thank you Chief

Must Read for Every Manager

This book is an overall great resource and guide to management. I quit my job after reading this book because I realized the stress I felt at work came from an incompetent manager.