Breaking Down the 2025 Palisades Fire, 3 Core Leadership Principles, and More (with Nick Schuler) Ep|109

Chief Nick Schuler has spent more than 25 years rising through the ranks of CAL FIRE, taking on roles that stretched him, challenged him, and ultimately prepared him to lead during some of California’s most complex and high-profile emergencies — including the Palisades fires. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Schuler shares why growth often comes from assignments you don’t initially want, and how embracing those moments shapes both your career and your character. We explore the realities of moving up through the ranks, why rank does not equal leadership, and how true leaders are judged by their actions — not their words. Chief Schuler breaks down the difference between misinformation and disinformation, the importance of controlling your narrative through social media, and what it takes to communicate clearly during crisis. He also shares his three core pillars of leadership — support, mentorship, and leading by example — along with practical insight on how to find the right mentors and why learning never stops in this profession.