The Power of Vulnerability in Firefighter Leadership with Scott Booth
In this powerful episode of Beneath the Helmet, retired Fire Chief Arjuna George sits down with Deputy Chief Scott Booth to explore how vulnerability transforms leadership. Scott shares his personal journey through trauma, resilience, and leadership evolution, highlighting why emotional courage builds stronger teams, deeper trust, and healthier fire service cultures. A must-listen for anyone ready to lead with authenticity and heart.
Vulnerability Is a Leadership Superpower: Lessons from Deputy Chief Scott Booth
What if the strongest thing a fire service leader could do... was be vulnerable?
In this rich and powerful episode of Beneath the Helmet, retired Fire Chief Arjuna George sits down with Deputy Chief Scott Booth to explore the misunderstood strength of vulnerability in fire service leadership. With over three decades of experience, Booth shares his personal story of trauma, resilience, and leadership transformation backed by original research from his Executive Fire Officer (EFO) capstone on vulnerability.
Hear how vulnerability builds trust, boosts team performance, and fosters psychological safety in high-stress environments. From navigating emotional trauma to leading authentically in the firehouse and beyond, this conversation is a masterclass in human-centred leadership.
Subscribe for more authentic conversations that challenge outdated leadership norms and elevate how we care for ourselves and those we lead. Share this episode with a leader who needs to hear that strength doesn’t mean silence—it means showing up as you are.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:59 Meet Deputy Chief Scott Booth
01:10 Scott's Journey in the Fire Service
01:53 Family and Personal Life
03:48 The Importance of Vulnerability
13:37 Defining Vulnerability
19:33 Vulnerability in Leadership
23:58 Challenges and Misconceptions
32:03 Micromanagement vs. Trust
33:55 The Importance of Training Your Replacement
34:42 Building Confidence and Letting Others Shine
36:01 Understanding and Overcoming Cultural Barriers
37:40 The Benefits of Vulnerability in Leadership
38:24 Creating Meaningful Relationships for Mental Health
46:56 Shared Struggles and Team Cohesion
50:39 Outdated Leadership Norms and the Need for Change
56:31 The Future of the Fire Service and Diversity
59:12 Challenges for Different Leadership Levels
01:03:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Contact Scott Booth
sbooth@gigharborfire.org
Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)
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Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret) Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author.
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Scott Booth
Deputy Fire Chief
Started volunteering in my senior year of High School in 1990, career hospital-based paramedic in 1994, first career fire job in 1996 (Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services), and then Gig Harbor in 1997. Worked through the chain, from FF/Paramedic to Lieutenant, then Battalion Chief, and now Deputy Chief of Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness. Founder and coordinator of GH's Peer Support Team. Completed EFO 2.0 in October 2024. Married to wife Amy and we have two kids; Jordan and Sheldon. I'm an avid cyclist, mostly road and gravel.
