Ep. 102: Pete Brummel, Deputy Chief (ret.) - Vulnerability Creates Credibility

Pete Brummel, retired Deputy Chief and 35-year veteran of the fire service, for a powerful conversation about authentic leadership and the personal work required to lead others well.

Pete shares lessons from a career spent serving, leading, and developing people, with a focus on the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and self-reflection. He explores what it means for leaders to truly know themselves—their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and blind spots—and how that awareness can shape the way they show up for their teams.

We also dig into the often-misunderstood role of vulnerability in leadership. Pete explains why vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness, but can actually create credibility, strengthen relationships, and build trust. Being willing to acknowledge mistakes, admit what you don’t know, listen to others, and continually learn can make a leader more relatable, more credible, and ultimately more effective.

Drawing on 35 years in the fire service, Pete offers perspective on leadership, humility, accountability, trust, and the importance of staying connected to the people you serve.

This is a conversation about more than leadership skills—it’s about the person behind the leader, the courage to look inward, and the impact authenticity can have on a team, an organization, and a career.