In Season 2, Episode 1 of TalentWise, we dig into the very real workforce crisis that’s been building for decades and what it actually takes to lead through it when the stakes are high. We’re joined by Laura Kavanagh, whose journey from a shy, small-town kid to the first woman commissioner of the FDNY offers a rare, unfiltered view of leadership under constant pressure. Having led 17,000 people and a $2.3 billion organization through 24/7 crises, Laura brings hard-earned insights on adaptability, resilience and what modern leaders often underestimate about today’s workforce challenges. Her story is surprising, deeply human and packed with lessons you won’t want to miss.

Insight: Building resilience starts with honesty

After disruption hits, many organizations ask the wrong question: “How do we bounce back?” As Laura Kavanagh explains, resilience isn’t something you create in the aftermath. It’s built long before a crisis ever arrives through trust, preparation and the strength of the workforce itself.

One of the most overlooked drivers of that preparedness is honesty.

Many organizations assume they need to present a polished, problem-free version of themselves to attract and retain talent. In practice, the opposite is often true. Being open about the realities of the work and the challenges an organization is facing strengthens trust and attracts candidates who are genuinely prepared for what the role requires.

As Laura shared from her experience leading the FDNY, when the organization spoke openly about its challenges, candidates didn’t pull away. They leaned in. “The thing that deterred them was not talking about it.”

Transparency allows people to choose roles with clearer expectations, builds trust earlier and reduces the disconnect that often leads to disengagement or turnover later on. Over time, that honesty becomes a foundation for resilience rather than a risk to be managed.

At Markstein, this is where our work begins. We help organizations build talent pipelines, leadership capability and workforce strategies that make resilience real before it’s tested.

This insight comes from our conversation with Laura Kavanagh on Season 2 of TalentWise, where she shares lessons from leading the FDNY through constant, high-stakes disruption and what every organization can learn about readiness and leadership fit.