Weekly Scrap #364 – Benjamin Martin: Intoxicated Leadership

Benjamin Martin is coming back to the Scrap, and we've got more to unpack than we'll have time to cover.

Benjamin started his career riding the jump seat of a busy urban engine company and recently retired as an Acting Battalion Chief after more than 23 years in the fire service.

Many of you know him through EmbraceTheResistance.com, his articles, podcast appearances, or his nationally recognized class, Intoxicated Leadership.

Over the last decade, he's challenged many of the assumptions inherited about leadership, helping firefighters at every rank recognize the hidden forces that shape culture, leadership, and performance... and what we can actually do about them.

Benjamin isn't afraid to go where a lot of leadership conversations stop. He's willing to talk about the mistakes, the burnout, the difficult conversations, the organizational politics, and the emotional weight that comes with trying to do right by your people. He believes credibility isn't built only on the fireground but rather around the kitchen table, in the hallway, and during the conversations most people would rather avoid.

If your ego's flammable... consider this your warning.

Some of the rabbit holes we hope to head down include why leaders shouldn't always eat last, why organizations push back against improvement, and why good people quietly stop caring.

As always, the live audience helps drive where this conversation goes. Some of my favorite episodes have taken unexpected turns because of the questions and comments coming from the chat.