The Firehouse Yak: Thomas Gordon – Leadership and Life Lessons from the Marines, The Citadel

Peter Matthews talks with past FireFusion keynote speaker Thomas J. Gordon, who completed a 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, about leadership, resilience and his book, "Marine Maxims, Turning Leadership Principals into Practice.”

After his military career, Gordon returned to his alma mater, The Citadel, to serve as the Commandant of Cadets and shares stories of developing leaders from a young age, including how the school coaches students in decision-making and provides them with the tools they need to be successful in life.  

Gordon details some of the military maxims he wrote about his in book, including the pathway to making decisions, the chain of command and character development. He also reflects on what he calls his greatest failure in the Marines and how that shaped the remainder of his career.  

Related links:

• Marine Maxims: Turning Leadership Principles into Practice 
• Marine Maxims 
• FireFusion 2025: Military Leadership Principles for Today's Fire Officers 
• The Citadel