Reviewed by Michael S. Hildebrand, CSP

Cornerstones of Leadership was written by Frank Leeb who is the managing director
of the First Responder Center for Excellence. He previously served as a deputy
assistant chief in FDNY, holding key positions as Chief Safety Officer, Chief of
Training, and Chief of the Fire Academy, He retired in June 2024 after more than
31 years. In conjunction with his FDNY service, he also served as a volunteer
firefighter with the East Farmingdale, New York Fire Department. He currently
lectures nationally on fire service leadership issues.

Aspiring fire company officers will find Chief Leeb’s book packed full of leadership
guidance. The work book is organized into two distinct parts. The first part, “Reflections
From the Fireground,” comprises chapters that recount Leeb’s involvement in
emergency responses and deployments. These chapters share individual stories and
spotlight essential leadership qualities that have impacted his leadership journey over
three decades. The second part, “Beyond the Fireground” features narratives centered
on culture, leadership attributes, and the soft skills.

At the end of each chapter, the book offers five key take-ways, which are essential
leadership points derived from the content of each chapter. These are intended to be
actionable insights and lessons for readers to apply to their leadership journeys. The
book concludes with a combined list of these 125 leadership attributes.

Leadership books that have been written from an academic and strategic chief officer
perspective can be hard to digest for upcoming firefighters looking to move into a
company level officer position. What makes Cornerstones of Leadership an interesting
and easy read for junior officers is the story telling format used in each chapter related
to specific major incidents that Chief Leeb and the FDNY have responded to during his
career.

Key YLD Leadership Takeaway: Mentorship shapes future leaders. Seeking out
mentors early in your career can have a lifelong impact on positive career development.
Mentorship involves freely passing along your knowledge. Mentorship from senior,
respected, and accomplished leaders is critical for the development of company level
officers, who eventually evolve from tactical thinkers and doers into strategic leaders
who shape the culture of an organization.

ISBN: 13: 9781566632171