Ep. 97: Jim Whitney, Deputy Fire Chief - Lead Where You Stand

Ep. 97: Jim Whitney, Deputy Fire Chief - Lead Where You Stand

From Leadership Conversations @ The Kitchen Table by Berlin Maza

May 18, 2026 · 1h 26m · Season 4 · Episode 97

About this episode

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Whitney discusses leadership under pressure and the importance of stepping forward where you stand.

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Whitney of the Redmond Fire Department—a leader who stood on the front lines during one of the most defining moments in modern emergency response. As the Medical Services Administrator involved in the nation’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, Chief Whitney brings a perspective on leadership under pressure. This conversation dives into what it truly means to lead through conflict. Chief Whitney explores the concept of “turning up the heat without burning down the organization,” breaking down the balance between urgency and stability. He introduces the idea of the 60-25-15 dynamic—where 25% is the critical space where real productivity, growth, and progress happen. More importantly, this episode challenges the notion that leadership is tied to rank. Whether you’re in a formal position or not, leadership is about stepping forward where you stand—taking risks, embracing discomfort, and having the courage to fail. Growth doesn’t happen without friction, and sometimes the boldest ideas are the ones that feel the most uncomfortable to put on the table.

People in this episode

Host: Berlin Maza

Guest: Jim Whitney

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • emergency response
  • conflict management
  • organizational growth
  • risk-taking

Keywords

  • leadership
  • emergency response
  • COVID-19
  • organizational growth
  • conflict

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Redmond Fire Department

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