Does the concept of design come to mind when you think of leadership development? If not, it should.
Leadership development is an art, and like those individuals presented in Alice Rawsthorn's TED talk, you, too, are a designer. Design is a powerful tool that can be honed to create a very powerful image and influence the leadership environment.
The Art of Leadership
Leaders deeply affect people and organizations, both
positively and negatively. Accidental leaders, who have
little interest or enthusiasm for leadership
responsibilities or self-improvement, can inhibit
people’s growth and reduce the effectiveness of their
organizations.
Conversely, committed leaders, avid pupils of the art of
leadership, can inspire others and make an enormous
difference in people’s lives, on the results of the team,
and in the progress of the organization.
The art of leadership requires a constant interchange of
theory and application.
The art also includes being able
to view the larger picture—discerning how to turn a
weakness into a strength, gauging what is and is not
within our control. Leaders constantly balance the
known and unknown as well as danger and opportunity
to find ways to gain the advantage.
Ultimately, the art of leadership requires successfully
balancing many factors in the real world, based on the
situation at hand, to achieve a successful outcome.
Occasionally, leaders may be required to provide
authoritative, autocratic, tightly controlled direction that
requires immediate obedience. But most of the time,
leaders inspire, guide, and support their subordinates,
gaining their commitment to the vision and mission and
encouraging them, within established limits, to perform
creatively
The leadership challenge in the wildland fire service is
to influence people to accomplish tasks and objectives
under confusing, dangerous, and ambiguous conditions.
Leaders balance the risks against the potential gains of
any decision and action. Because of the inherent
complexity of this world, many times they face morally
difficult decisions—with high-stakes consequences—
alone, unable to receive guidance from a chain of
command.
At these moments, fire leaders rely on values and
judgment and apply the art of leadership.
Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper
- Read "A Framework for Leadership" in Leading in the Wildland Fire Service (pp. 5-24).
- Devote time for personal reflection.
- Are you providing clear leader's intent?
- Solicit feedback from your subordinates? Does your perception of your leadership match what others think or say?
- If you don't have one, identify an advocate.
- Find a coach for skills you need to hone.
- Obtain a mentor who can help you along your journey.
- Write down your command philosophy and clearly communicate it to others.
- Are you being authentic to yourself and those you lead?
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