Challenge #84: The Art of Leadership

Challenge #84: The Art of Leadership
You have had nearly a year to work on your leadership art. In your journal, respond to the following:

• What five words describe you at your best?
• What five words describe you at your worst?
• What is your plan to maintain the best and mitigate the worst?

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Seeing What Others Don't See

“Most people are good at evaluating the obvious. The exceptional leaders will look beneath the surface and see what others don't see.” ♦ The Daily Coach ♦

[Photo credit: Union IHC]

#fireleadership

A Look Back at Our History

Members of the NWCG Leadership Committee got a unique look into the formation of the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program at their fall meeting on December 4, 2019. Early contributors to the wildland fire leadership initiative that began over 20 years ago were on hand to share a unique historical perspective.

Panel members included:

• Paul Hannemann, (NASF), L-480 Steering Group
• Mark Linane (USFS-retired), IHC representative
• Jim Cook (USFS-retired), Leadership Sub/Committee co-chair
• Bill Molumby (USFS-retired), L-480/580 Steering Group
• Dan Buckley (NPS), Leadership Task Group member
• Randy Skelton (USFS), Eyes Forward, L-280 Train-the-Trainer, L-380 CMUL
• Mark Smith, Mission-Centered Solutions
• Anthony Escobar (USFS-retired), Moderator and early contributor

We would like to thank Orange County Fire Authority for sponsoring the discussion and capturing the video so it could be viewed by all students of fire.
NWCG Panel Discussion from Orange County Fire Authority on Vimeo.

Challenge 83: The Art of Leadership

Challenge 83: The Art of Leadership

Effective leaders get involved with their operations without micromanaging.

• Make it a habit to be visible during operations.
• Lend a helping hand on occasion.
• Share the joys and hardships with your team.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Be Familiar

“The more familiar you are with things that are unfamiliar, the more familiar with them you will become." ♦ Jacko Willink ♦

[Photo: Tallac IHC]

#fireleadership

Challenge 82: The Art of Leadership

Challenge 82: The Art of Leadership
Effective leaders promote a culture where morale and retention is high, people are committed and performance well.

• In your journal, list what items create this type of environment for you.
• What type of environment do your team members need?

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Leadership Is a Gift

“Leadership is a gift. It's given by those who follow. You have to be worthy of it." ♦ General Mark Welsh ♦

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

#fireleadership

Read the Book - See the Movie

Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay 

For 15 seasons, I was a dispatcher. My "view" of the fire situation was much different than those of you on the fire ground. I experienced the course of events more like reading a book, whereas those on the front lines were watching the movie. Much of my experience was made up (rightly or wrongly so) in my mind. The storylines included things like plane crashes with bodies still in the cockpit, fires threatening homes and communities, a dead body in a garbage bag found on a dirt road in the middle of the desert, and scanner communications with agents practicing for upcoming operations (maybe even Ruby Ridge). Each and every time, I made up the imagery. Whoever says dispatching is easy never did it.

Challenge 81: The Art of Leadership

Challenge 81: The Art of Leadership

Leaders set the example.

• In your journal, write down how you want to be seen by your team members.
• Conduct an evaluation (could be a 360-degree assessment) to see if your perception matches reality.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: The Undoing of One's Self

Doing nothing for others is the undoing of one's self. - Horace Mann

[Photo: Justin Vernon]

#fireleadership