You’re It: Character, Trust, and Leading When It Matters Most

Show Description

A crisis reveals the character of the people leading through it. Have they earned trust? Can they hear uncomfortable truths? Have they taken care of the team they are about to ask everything of?

In this episode of the Emergency Management Network Podcast, Todd DeVoe welcomes Eric McNulty, co-author of You’re It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When It Matters Most, for a conversation about character, meta-leadership, and the human side of emergency management.

They explore the new edition’s emphasis on character, balancing workforce expectations with disaster demands, and creating teams where people can speak honestly and support one another. The conversation also tackles one of the profession’s toughest challenges: making consequential decisions with incomplete information while maintaining public trust.

From protecting downtime on blue-sky days to explaining evacuation decisions, this episode examines the everyday leadership practices that prepare people to perform when their communities need them most.

Show Notes

Podcast: Emergency Management NetworkHost: Todd DeVoeGuest: Eric McNulty, co-author of You’re It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When It Matters Most

In This Episode

Todd and Eric discuss why effective crisis leadership begins long before an emergency. Character, honest communication, and relationships shape whether teams and communities will trust a leader when decisions become difficult.

Their conversation explores:

* Character before crisis: Integrity, listening, and putting the mission and people first.

* Leading across generations: Setting clear expectations while respecting boundaries, family responsibilities, and time away.