Moments of Truth

Over the last two years, we have talked a lot about leading and learning in the wildland fire service. Having been immersed in the two for my professional career, I continue to question how we learn lessons and develop our character. 

In my blog "They Told Us So"  I shared my thoughts on how I think we learn lessons. 

I contend that we learn individually and not so much corporately.

How many times in your life has someone told you not to do something (don't touch that, don't eat that, etc.) and yet you still do it. You touch the hot plate or stove; you get burned. You cut yourself on the mandolin (kitchen slicer) because you didn't use the safety device. You lift with your back instead of your legs. You drink to excess. You don't use your personal protective equipment. You fail to heed the lessons of those who came before you.

As I continue refining my leadership art and conduct research for this year's campaign on servant leadership and character, I came upon the work of Joseph Badaracco in this year's campaign book of choice, Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership by James Sipe and Don Frick.

Badaracco "...developed a process to help leaders transform values and beliefs into calculated action, through the experience of what he calls defining moments. He distinguishes between ethical decision making—choosing between an option we know to be right and another we know to be wrong—and a defining moment, which challenges us to choose between two courses of action be believe are both right." (Check out Mark Stanford's, former Associate Director and Fire Chief of the Texas A&M Forest Service and member of the NWCG Leadership Committee, blog "Caught between right and right.")

What Sipe and Frick shared from Jan Carlzon really hit home and gave structure to my thinking.

Many defining moments are private. Their effects may never be witnessed by others. However, when they are witnessed by others, they become a "moment of truth" (MOT), the point of contact with a leader's character, as revealed in his or her actions.

This is when we commit to learning and brings the adage that leaders are always on display. Regardless of our leadership level, we are all on display. Our actions reveal our character and how we learn and lead. How many times do we do something in private that we wouldn't do in public? Do we "walk the talk," "practice what we preach," etc.? It is through the defining moments (good and bad) that we make decisions about our leadership. We can continue down the same path or opt for a new one. 

You are going to have many moments of truth as a leader, how will you act and react?

Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper

• Read "Pillar 1 - A Person of Character" in Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership - Practicing the Wisdom of Leading and Serving by James Sipe and Don Frick.
• In your leadership journal, respond to one of the questions Sipe and Frick proposed of their readers:
• What are two of the most important defining moments that have helped shape my character?

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Pam McDonald is a writer/editor for BLM Wildland Fire Training and Workforce Development and member of the NWCG Leadership Committee. The expressions are those of the author.