IGNITE: The Personal and Interpersonal Matter

“While leadership as a discipline is very, very important, the personal and interpersonal sides of leadership are every bit as important as the great leadership themes of vision, execution, strategy, and the like.” ♦ Henry Cloud ♦

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

#fireleadership

If People Matter, Show Them

(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

"While leadership as a discipline is very, very important, the personal and interpersonal sides of leadership are every bit as important as the great leadership themes of vision, execution, strategy, and the like." - Henry Cloud, Boundaries for Leaders

I am rarely surprised by the answer I get from our followers when asked, "What is a leaders most important asset?" The resounding answer is "my people." People do matter, and they have a lot to say if only the leader has the ears to hear and the eyes to see.

Challenge 71: The Art of Leadership

Challenge 71: The Art of Leadership
“We all know the importance of asking for help, but those who achieve big things are the ones who accept it when it’s offered.” – Simon Sinek

• Write this quote in your journal and make a commitment to accept help.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Leadership is a Relationship

Leadership is a relationship between leaders and followers - Kouzes and Posner
[Photo: San Juan IHC]

#fireleadership

Challenge #63 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #63 - The Art of Leadership 

Leaders surround themselves with people who can hold them accountable and can give them honest feedback. 

• Do you have an inner circle?
• Evaluate your inner circle to ensure you have people who ask the hard questions and keep you honest. 

#artofleadership

Challenge 70: The Art of Leadership

Challenge 70: The Art of Leadership
Making decisions is something all leaders must do.

Read Mike Vangel’s Stanford Magazine article “Nine Tips for Smarter Decision-Making.”

#artofleadership

Legacy is not leaving something "for" people. Legacy is about leaving something "in" people. ♦ The Daily Coach blog ♦

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]

#fireleadership

Time to Listen

(Image by Michael Schwarzenberger from Pixabay) 

In May 2013, Jason Headly released his "It's Not About the Nail" video. Since that time it has received over 19 million views. The message is clear. "Don't try to fix it. I just need you to listen."

Challenge 69: The Art of Leadership

Challenge 69: The Art of Leadership
Leaders ensure they do not let the opportunity pass to grow.

• Is there something you want to learn how to do? Do it.
• Make growing as a leader a priority. Schedule time in your day for a learning activity.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: No Such Thing

There is no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity. ♦ Tom Peters♦

[Photo: Entiat IHC]

#fireleadership

Challenge #68: The Art of Leadership

Challenge #68: The Art of Leadership

"To be authentic is to be at peace with your imperfections." - Simon Sinek

• In your journal, acknowledge your imperfections. Document what, if anything, you can/plan to do to address them.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Deliberate Much

Deliberate much before saying and doing anything, for you will not have the power of recalling what has been said or done. ♦ Epictetus ♦
[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

#fireleadership

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

(View of the Mann Gulch fire from the plane)

We talk a lot about the importance of crew cohesion within the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. Teams must be cohesive. But what happens to the team when chaos wrecks havoc within the fire environment? Do we follow our individual instinct or do we defer to others with more knowledge and experience?

Challenge #67: The Art of Leadership

Challenge #67: The Art of Leadership

Respond to the following question in your journal:

• What's the one accomplishment you've made in your life that you're proudest and how has it impacted how you lead?

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Invite Input

To create safety, leaders need to actively invite input. - Amy Edmondson

[Photo: La Grande IHC]

#fireleadership

Challenge #66: The Art of Leadership

Challenge #66: The Art of Leadership
Caring for self and others is a duty of every leader. Chronic workplace stress can cause burnout. Know the signs and how to avoid it.

• Read Medical News Today’s article “Burnout: Facing the Damage of ‘Chronic Workplace Stress.’ 

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Close Enough Yet Far Enough

Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them. ♦ John C. Maxwell ♦

[Photo: Midewin IHC]

#fireleadership

Karels Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

(L to R: Mark Stanford, Jim Karels, Shawnna Legarza, Tom Boggus. Photo: Florida Forest Service)

PAUL GLEASON LEAD BY EXAMPLE AWARD

Lifetime Achievement

Jim Karels

2019

Jim Karels is a man of vision and action. His leadership attributes are not only evident to the citizens he serves but also to those who serve with him, both within his organization and throughout the wildland fire service.

Challenge #65: The Art of Leadership

Challenge #65: The Art of Leadership
Coach John Wooden began his quest for defining “success” with two principles:

• Don’t try to be better than someone else.
• Always try to be the best you can be.

In your journal, define your guiding principles and your definition of success.

[Source: Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, John Wooden & Jay Carty]

#artofleadership

Trust is Built on Truth

Trust is built on telling the truth, not telling people what they want to hear. ♦ Simon Sinek ♦

[Photo: B. Nealy/Devil's Canyon Veterans Handrew]

#fireleadership

Challenge #64 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #64 - The Art of Leadership
Keeping stress at a manageable level should be the goal of every person.

• Read Dr. Robert Schachter’s book Mindfulness for Stress Management: 50 Ways To Improve Your Mood And Cultivate Calmness.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Take Care of Those in Your Charge

“Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” 

♦ Simon Sinek ♦

Slow Down You Move Too Fast

Today's blog is inspired by Jacqueline Woodson's TedTalk "What Reading Slowly Taught Me About Writing." Jacqueline talks about how the speed reading craze impacted her ability to write. Like Jacqueline, I was a child of the '70s and remember how much this effort affected reading in my family.