Where is Your Finish Line?

 

"The Start and Finish Line of the 'Inishowen 100' Scenic Drive" by Andrew_D_Hurley is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Where is Your Finish Line?

e. L. Pelletier – February 8, 2021

“Habit #2: Begin with the end in mind. ®”

~ 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey

Have you ever asked yourself, “where am I going in leadership?” It sounds like a straightforward question, but in reality, it is one of the most gut-wrenching questions you might ever have to answer. To appropriately respond to that question, you have to know how to start, keep your ego in check, and be able to channel your inner child’s imagination. In other words, answering the question of where you are going in leadership can’t be answered off the cuff.

“The starting point for leadership development is self-awareness…We probe our blind spots...We honestly appraise our own strengths and weaknesses.”

~ Leading in the Wildland Fire Service

Answering where you are going in leadership, seems like an excellent place to start your journey. You must be able to identify yourself in the crowd, at work, with friends, and at home. You may find that you have different qualities and quirks in each environment. Use this information to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t overlook a trait you have in one situation as not relevant in another. For example, when I am in a training environment and find myself working with someone new, I have a great deal of patience and empathy for them. However, at home, I can become frustrated trying to explain something new to my wife. I try to practice what I preach, so I researched why this might be. There were plenty of justifications (aka excuses) available about familiarity breeding contempt, but that wasn’t good enough to me. I know that I can be patient because I have recognized myself as being so in other situations. Before I share something with her, I first remind myself she wasn’t there and may not be familiar with what I’m talking about.

When evaluating your strengths and weaknesses, don’t limit how many you have on either side. It is hard. Most people are their own harshest critics, and your list may look a little lopsided. It is okay and doesn’t mean you’re not a good person or shouldn’t be a leader! Can we all agree Attila the Hun does not have a reputation as a good person? Yet, L-280: Followership to Leadership pre-course work includes reading Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun. The book, not meant as a historical account, is an excellent interpretation of a leader who assesses where they stand and how to get the most out of the people they lead.

Great and not so great leaders are often known for their ego. The word ego is often used in a negative connotation. It doesn’t need to be though. For this discussion ego is simply your opinion of how important you are in relation to someone else. We’ve all worked for someone whose ego was more aggressive than their role, as well as with someone whose meek demeanor made them appear too weak for leadership. Balancing the two ends of the spectrum is what I mean by aligning your ego. Sometimes learning this can be a very humbling experience.

In the Karate Kid (1984 version), both ego dynamics are demonstrated. For those who aren’t familiar with the movie (please find two hours to watch it!), it revolves around Daniel, a spitfire teenager uprooted and moved across the country, who feels he has to prove he is tougher than the world, and Mr. Miyagi, the humble maintenance man. 

Being the new kid in school, Daniel finds himself on the wrong side of the boys from Cobra Kai. It leads to a fight and the intervention of Mr. Miyagi, the meek older man, taking on four teenage bullies. Mr. Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel karate, but not in the style Daniel felt was helpful. How many times have we had someone in leadership ask us to do something that we didn’t think related to what we needed to do? 

After some frustration, and anger, Daniel finishes his training, which included painting Mr. Miyagi’s fence, waxing his cars, and sanding the floors; Daniel’s training culminates with learning the crane kick—the tactic he performs while injured to bring down his Cobra Kai competitor. 

Had Daniel not been able to humble his ego, completed the menial tasks asked of him, the outcome would have been much different. Whereas had Mr. Miyagi been too reserved for stepping in, Daniel would have endured countless beatings throughout the movie. 

Moral of the story: don’t let your ego prevent you from learning, and don’t use your ego as a reason not to take action.

Leadership is an endless maze of opportunities, don't get lost by not knowing where your finish line is.

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e. L. Pelletier held a career seasonal position with FWS and BIA. He left the wildland fire service to pursue other avenues but will return this season. e. L. is passionate about leadership and self-development. We appreciate e. L's willingness to share his thoughts with our audience. The thoughts are those of the author.