The WFDLP is issuing the 2017
reading challenge! The books chosen as the
primary focus for this year are: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
and Leif Babin; Team of Teams by retired Army General Stanley McChrystal; The
Art of Authenticity by Karissa Thacker; and Resilience by Eric
Greitens.
The intent of the challenge is
to promote the reading and discussion of the books throughout the year.
Discussions are encouraged on the WFLDP Facebook page, the 2017 Wildland Fire National Leadership
Campaign - Leading Authentically and anywhere you can find
two people willing to chat about books and leadership.
There will be discussion guides
for these four titles, and more to follow, at the website for the Professional
Reading Program: http://www.fireleadership.gov/toolbox/PRP_library/pro_reading_program.htm.
This year we’re also recommending
a handful of other titles in addition to the focus books. The Invisible Gorilla by
Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons might be familiar to many leaders, as
it’s a follow-up book to a viral video that many have seen in leadership
training. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek will also be familiar to many,
as there are a few videos of his talks that are frequently used in leadership
classes. Both of these titles will get a discussion guide later in the year.
In addition, we’re recommending
that folks pick one of Stephen Pyne’s Fire Survey books (currently
California, Florida, the Southwest, and the Northern Rockies are available), and
read it with a mind toward thinking about how different fire and fire cultures
can be in different parts of the country.
For anyone wanting to dive deeper
into fire policy and history, we highly recommend reading Between Two Fires by
Stephen Pyne. It explains quite well many of the reasons we got where we are
today.
How to use the reading program
There’s no right or wrong way
to read, or to use this program. It’s a tool that we’ve made available for
anyone to use as they see fit. Most professional organizations maintain some
sort of reading program, and reading followed by reflection is a valuable tool
for leadership development.
You don’t need to read all the
books on the list, although that’s great if you do. For most of the titles
we’ve put together a basic “why should I read this” document with some simple
questions meant to spark discussion. Feel free to use these discussion
questions or come up with your own. You don’t have to agree with the authors,
or even like what they have to say. The important part is to read, think about
it, and talk about it!
Many local libraries offer
digital access to digital books and audio books to their members. There are
also many options for purchasing the books in hard copy or digital format.
Happy reading!
The 2017 Wildland Fire Leadership
Development Program Professional Reading List
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willinks and Leif Babin
A great book on leadership with lots of applications
in the fire environment, at the personal and organizational level. A must read
for fire leaders. If you read only one book on leadership this year, this
should be it.
Team of Teams by retired Army General Stanley McChrystal
A book on leadership that focuses on changing from
top-down traditional leadership to dynamic leadership that’s more effective in
the modern “information” era. Focused on organizational leadership with many
applications for fire leaders at any level.
The Art of Authenticity by Karissa Thacker
While it’s focused heavily on the corporate business
environment, it also has many ideas and concepts that translate well into the
fire world. Authentic leadership matters regardless of who you are or where you
work. Also ties in with the 2017 Campaign!
Resilience by Eric Greitens
Leadership
starts with leading of self, and this book is a great tool for self-improvement
as a leader and a person. Leadership starts with you, and as the author says,
you need to get yourself right before you lead others.
The Invisible Gorilla by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons
Not a leadership book per se, but leadership is made
better with understanding of how we perceive the world around us, and how our
brains interpret what we perceive. A wonderful book on how we see, or don’t
see, the world around us.
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
A book that examines what it means to be a good
leader, and why we instinctively follow some leaders and not others. Many of
the ideas will be familiar to wildland firefighters.
Between Two Fires by Stephen Pyne
A very thorough history of the American fire scene
from the early days until recent events. Closely examines the events, policies,
and agencies that shaped American fire management. A lot to absorb, but well
worth it for those looking to really think about how and why fire is managed
the way it in America.
Florida: A Fire Survey by Stephen Pyne
California: A Fire Survey by Stephen Pyne
The Northern Rockies: A Fire Survey by Stephen Pyne
The Southwest: A Fire Survey by Stephen Pyne
A
combined series of essays and short stories about the people, places, and
organizations that shape each fire region. A great way to learn more about the
cultures and natural process of places you may not have experienced.
If you have questions regarding
the Professional Reading Program, send an e-mail to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov.
Articles and official documents
that are on the Web, such as accident investigations, are linked here. Many can
be downloaded and printed. Many of the books are available in libraries. Most
books listed are currently available on the Web through various sources such as
Amazon at www.amazon.com or
Barnes & Noble at www.barnesandnoble.com or
Books Price at www.booksprice.com.
All branches of the United
States military have professional reading programs and a key part of those
programs is the recommendation that every leader read at least two books a
year. Many corporations have required readings for their supervisors and
managers. For several hundred dollars, a fire organization can put together a
good library from the titles on this list and implement a reading program on
their home unit. How many of our young firefighters know what happened at South
Canyon? How many have read anything that discusses the principles of sound
leadership? How many have read stories from other disciplines or endeavors that
describe leaders in action?
This is not busy work; this is
not drudgery. These readings will provoke reflection, discussion, and debate.
The selected titles have been chosen for their intrinsic excitement as well as
their content. Many of the books will be hard to put down. Let this be your
roadmap to an enjoyable and rewarding reading program.
The NWCG Leadership
Subcommittee is the sponsor for this resource.
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