IGNITE: The Seeds of Resilience

 

The seeds of resilience are planted in the way we process the negative events of our lives. ♦ Sheryl Sandberg ♦ Photo: Union IHC www.fireleadership.gov

Born Versus Made

Our perspective is that leaders are made, not born. 

Challenge #34 - 2021 WFLDP Campaign

 

Challenge #34: Good leaders work with their team to shape the future.

• Host a team-building session to discuss where the team would like to be in five years.
• Develop a strategy to bring the vision to fruition.

IGNITE: Together We Are Better

By ourselves we suffer serious limitations. Together we can be something wonderful.

♦ Max De Pree ♦

Photo: Kari Greer
www.fireleadership.gov

Knowing Ourselves and Seeking Improvement

The starting point for leadership development is self-awareness. In many ways, our greatest challenge is to know ourselves. Self-awareness is an inward application of situation awareness. Fire leaders have an inner drive to analyze and know ourselves. We probe our blind spots and come away resolved to improve ourselves. We honestly appraise our own strengths and weaknesses.

Building Trust in the "Boondocks"

(Image by 이정임 lee from Pixabay)

Last month I was asked to speak about relationships to a pandemic incident management team. I relayed an example I have used in our L-481 Intent into Action course.

When we look at what is going on in our country – unprecedented heat waves – extreme fire and weather events – fractious politics – the surge in Delta – disinformation – misinformation – no information – the stress on the bonds of deep trust and cooperative relationships needed to succeed is reaching (in some cases exceeded) the breaking point. Yet the need for these relationships have never been greater.

Unity through Harmony

 

(Photo credit: Boulder Country Sheriff's Office)

One of the most important responsibilities of a leader is team building. Taking a group of individuals with different personalities, skills, and experiences and molding them into a cohesive unit is not always an easy task. The leader must assess the strengths and weaknesses and commonalities and differences of each person and determine how each fits into the whole, if they do at all. Building the team may happen quickly or it may take some time.

IGNITE: Great Team vs. Team of Greats

It is better to have a great team than a team of greats. - Simon Sinek

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]

Developing Yourself

 

Integrity is a measure of where a person stands in times of challenge and controversy. 

Challenge #33 - 2021 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #33: Good leaders celebrate team success with their people.

•  Brainstorm the successes your team has experienced this year.
•  Host a way to celebrate these accomplishments.

Recognizing Accomplishents

 

Leaders recognize efforts that move their teams toward stated goals. Teams value recognition as evidence that their leaders understand and appreciate their dedication and hard work.

IGNITE: Mutual Trust

 

Mutual trust is not possible without understanding. Understanding is not possible without knowing one another. ♦ "Building Cohesive Teams," Center for Army Lessons Learned ♦ Photo: Devil’s Canyon Veteran’s Handcrew www.fireleadership.gov

Summary - Respect

 

Respect is how we value our co-workers. Respect for the individual forms the basis for the rule of law in America. This value reminds us that those who follow us are our greatest resource. Not all of our followers will succeed equally, but we owe them our respect.

• Know your people and look out for their well-being.
• Keep your people informed.
• Build the team.
• Employ your people in accordance with their capabilities.

[Click here to download a copy of Leading in the Wildland Fire Service.] 

Opening Up Can Make Your Team Stronger

(Credit: John Hain/Pixabay)

You do not build trust in order to be vulnerable. When you're vulnerable, it builds trust. Being vulnerable together builds closeness and creates it. - Daniel Coyle

"There I was..."

IGNITE: Leaders Trust First

 

Leaders take the risk to trust first. - Simon Sinek

[Photo: Photo: Paul Hensel, NM Zone - FWS, Planet Ranch Fire]

#fireleadership #trust

Discipline

Leaders utilize discipline with those who lack motivation or are unwilling to perform to standard. Leaders discipline team members only after providing timely feedback and clear standards, and that effort has failed.

Failing to discipline team members who refuse to meet standards undermines team cohesion. Shirking this responsibility represents a failure in the leader’s duty to other team members.

[Click here to download a copy of Leading in the Wildland Fire Service.] 

Challenge #32 - 2021 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #32: Good leaders acknowledge those who contribute to the growth of self, the team, and the organization.

• Select a notable wildland fire leader to interview for Leaders We Would Like to Meet.
• Interview (video/audio style with written transcript) the leader and submit to the WFLDP for consideration.
• BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov

Lynn Biddison - Leaders We Would Like to Meet Showcase

Lynn Biddison, Helijumper, 1953

The following memo was sent to Forest Supervisors from Director of Aviation and Fire Management Lynn R. Biddison on June 16, 1982. He is one of the Leaders We Would Like to Meet interviewees. What can you glean today from his '80s memo that does not conflict with current policies and procedures? What has changed since?

Lynn died in a car accident at the age of 88 in 2015. (Click here for his obituary.) Read Bill Gabbert's tribute to Lynn on Wildfire Today, including a link to a scanned copy of the memo.

(Note: slight formatting alterations were made for ease of publication)

Performance Feedback

 

Leaders provide feedback by creating open lines of communication and providing an opportunity to exchange ideas, perspectives, and concerns. Failing to provide feedback represents failure in a basic responsibility of leadership: to guide team members in learning accountability, accepting responsibility, and being effective communicators. Fire leaders use performance feedback to develop team members and help them meet their full potential. 

Challenge #31 - 2021 WFLDP Campaign

 

Challenge #31: Leaders take time to develop leadership.

• Review the LEAD Time library. 
• On your own, or with your team, develop a new addition for 6 Minutes for Safety.
• Send your topic → BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov

IGNITE: The Best Investments

Adding value to people with high potential who are hungry to grow is one of the best investments a leader can make. – John Maxwell

[Photo: Tyler Churchill/PatRick Environmental]

IGNITE: Leaving a Legacy

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

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]

#fireleadership

Aligning Values

Each team member has personal beliefs and interests. Individual points of view can work for or against the team result.

IGNITE: LEAD Time

LEAD Time is an effort to incorporate leadership consistently into fireline operations. As part of the  the 6 Minutes for Safety (6MFS) topic rotation, LEAD Time topics are included on the National Incident Management Situation Report (SIT Report), reaching a vast audience. As part of the SIT Report  leadership talks can be incorporated into morning briefings. The LEAD Time program is a great avenue to promote continued growth in our leadership journey.

You don't have to wait for leadership topics to pop in the 6MFS rotation, visit their website anytime and select the "leadership" category or search this blog for topics.

IGNITE: The Good Leader

A good leader takes a little more than his share of blame, a little less than his share of the credit. - Arnold H. Glasgow

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS] 

Do your part and share throughout your sphere of influence! ‪

#‎fireleadership‬ ‪#‎firememes
http://www.fireleadership.gov/

IGNITE The Art of Leadership

 

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. - Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 9


[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]