Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Are You the Master of Communication Illusion?

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw
(Credit: BrainyQuote.com)
Since the beginning of time humans have tried to communication more effectively.

Monday, November 28, 2016

IGNITE: The Greatest Mistake

The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one. –John C. Maxwell (Wildland firefighter monitoring a fire along a road)
The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one. – John C. Maxwell
IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: NPS/Mark Mendonca]

Thursday, November 24, 2016

IGNITE: Fear of Letting Others Down

More than any system of reward and discipline, more than any policy, the fear of letting down respected teammates and peers represents the most effective means of accountability. – Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, page 54 (Wildland fire hotshot crews along a road with fire in the background

More than any system of reward and discipline, more than any policy, the fear of letting down respected teammates and peers represents the most effective means of accountability. – Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, page 54

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: Redding IHC, Soberanes fire (2016)]

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

From the Field for the Field Contest Deadline


Applications are due by November 30th for the From the Field for the Field Contest. The contest is part of the annual campaign. This year's theme was "Never Stop Learning." 

We will be launching the 2017 campaign soon! Stay tuned.

For more information, visit our website.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

In Their Own Words - Hollowway Fire

Picture collage: aerial views of fire shelter deployment site, survivor Chrissy Boone, and close up of shelter and effects
"When the fire came I realized I didn't have my gloves on. I used my neck shroud to hold the shelter down."
Deploying your fire shelter is something none of us wants to do. Unfortunately, deployments do happen. More importantly, having the courage to admit you deployed your shelter and telling your story so others can learn from it is leadership. I am keenly aware that many shelter deployments go unreported. We can learn far more from our successes that our failures. Deploying your fire shelter is NOT a failure!

Take a moment to watch Chrissy Boone's story. Chrissy's courage to talk about your deployment will give you insight and hopefully create a slide you can refer to should you find yourself in a similar situation.



Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center logo with 14 stars around 3 embedded stars)
Forest Service Technology and Development Program logo (TD with flame in the "D")
Thanks to the USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Program and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center for creating and sharing this video. A special shout out to Chrissy Boone for telling her story.

"Fire Shelter Deployments: Stories and Common Insights" is a program developed by the US Forest Service Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) that will help you understand what you may experience in a fire shelter deployment. Click here fore additional fire shelter information.









Monday, November 21, 2016

IGNITE: Final Responsibility

A leader can give up anything - except final responsibility. –John C. Maxwell  (smoky forest with sun trying to shine through)

A leader can give up anything - except final responsibility. – John C. Maxwell

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership. LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: Tatanka IHC]

Thursday, November 17, 2016

IGNITE: Leadership by Example

The best example of leadership is leadership by example. –Jerry McClain (Wildland firefighters standing in the forest at night with fire in the background)

The best example of leadership is leadership by example. – Jerry McClain

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Cedar Fire (2016)]

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Does Your Team Suffer from Groupthink?





The time wedge is getting shorter and your team needs to make a decision. You are a very cohesive group. What do you do? Do you hold out on what you feel is "right" or do you conform to the rest of the group for fear of breaking cohesion?

Monday, November 14, 2016

IGNITE: Getting Great Results

If you want great results, you need good people with great talent and awesome attitudes. –Leadership Promises by John Maxwell (Firefighter on the cell phone by his vehicle with fire in the background)
If you want great results, you need good people with great talent and awesome attitudes. – Leadership Promises by John Maxwell
IGNITE the Spark for Leadership. LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Davis Morris]

Thursday, November 10, 2016

IGNITE: Learning Then Moving On

Learn from the past, just don’t live there. –Mark Miller (Firefighter at edge of the forest with smoke in the background)

Learn from the past, just don’t live there. – Mark Miller

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks. #fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Wyoming Interagency Hotshots]

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Stress Management

Wildland firefighters exercising with situps and jumpropes
Stress can be described as an imbalance between the demands of our environment and our ability to respond to those demands. Managing stress, or coping, requires adjusting the environment, our personal abilities, or the way we view our world. Situations that seem to be beyond our ability to respond may call for a combination of these coping behaviors.

Coping strategies that work for an individual depend on a host of factors, such as personal references, life experiences, the nature and duration of the challenges, and many others. Physical exercise promotes overall fitness and can help individuals manage stress. Exercise does so both by removing us temporarily from a stressful environment and by helping us to be at our best when we’re dealing with stress.

Monday, November 7, 2016

IGNITE: Help Them Help You

The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leaders. The goal of a great leaders is to help people think more highly of themselves. –J. Carla Nortcutt (Firefighters huddled around each other at night with fire burning in the background)
The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leaders. The goal of a great leaders is to help people think more highly of themselves. – J. Carla Nortcutt
IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks. #fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS, Pioneer fire (2016)]

Thursday, November 3, 2016

IGNITE: Without Trust...

Without trust, there can be no self-confidence, nor confidence in the abilities of others--and no leadership. – Patrick Townsend and Joan Gebhardt (Lightning with sunset in the desert)
Without trust, there can be no self-confidence, nor confidence in the abilities of others--and no leadership. – Patrick Townsend and Joan Gebhardt
IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks. #fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: UC White Mountain Research Center/Graham Turner]

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Does Success Fuel Passion or Does Passion Fuel Success?

A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position - John Maxwell

When asked why they do what they do, wildland firefighters respond with  variety of responses. Common answers include:
  • I love what I do.
  • I get to see beautiful country.
  • I do it for the money.
  • Firefighting is in my blood.
Defining why we do what we do comes easy for some and a mystery to others. Passion may not reside with employment. Passion may not be something you seek. In fact, purpose and passion are two different things as seen in the quote below.

Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights your way. ~ Author Unknown

Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper
  • Does success fuel passion or does passion fuel success?
  • Is wildland firefighting your purpose or your passion?
  • Did you find your passion or did your passion find you?