Welcome back to The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, host Brent sits down with Tony Schmaltz, a seasoned leadership and peak performance coach who’s made a name for himself teaching at industry giants like Amazon. Tony shares powerful stories from his journey, starting as an “arrogant” young worker transformed by mentorship into a genuine leader driven to help others upgrade their lives. Together, they tackle some of the biggest questions facing first responders and leaders today: the real difference between leading and managing, why language is your most powerful tool, and how to stop people-pleasing without turning into a control freak.

You’ll hear insightful discussion about the value of taking ownership—why constant complaining is a clear sign you’re not in the driver’s seat—and learn the importance of making agreements instead of operating on vague expectations. Tony dives into practical tools like the Wheel of Life, offers strategies to help first responders cope with tough days, and introduces his book “Wake the BLEEP Up,” written to break down the barriers holding you back. Whether you’re new to leadership or looking to sharpen your skills, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration to help you lead with integrity, positivity, and impact. Grab your notebook—this conversation is one you won’t want to miss!

Want to be a guest on The First Responder Playbook: Insights on Leadership and Training? Send Brent Colbert a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1748037097521814b71b1b454

Link to Tony's book: https://amzn.to/40KbSvo

Tony's website: https://www.tonyschmaltz.com/

Tony's assessment: https://ultimateassessment.com/