Are You the Master of Communication Illusion?

(Credit: BrainyQuote.com)

Since the beginning of time humans have tried to communication more effectively.

IGNITE: The Greatest Mistake

The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one. – John C. Maxwell

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: NPS/Mark Mendonca]

IGNITE: Fear of Letting Others Down

More than any system of reward and discipline, more than any policy, the fear of letting down respected teammates and peers represents the most effective means of accountability. – Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, page 54

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: Redding IHC, Soberanes fire (2016)]

From the Field for the Field Contest Deadline

Applications are due by November 30th for the From the Field for the Field Contest. The contest is part of the annual campaign. This year's theme was "Never Stop Learning." 

We will be launching the 2017 campaign soon! Stay tuned.

For more information, visit our website.

In Their Own Words - Hollowway Fire

"When the fire came I realized I didn't have my gloves on. I used my neck shroud to hold the shelter down."

Deploying your fire shelter is something none of us wants to do. Unfortunately, deployments do happen. More importantly, having the courage to admit you deployed your shelter and telling your story so others can learn from it is leadership. I am keenly aware that many shelter deployments go unreported. We can learn far more from our successes that our failures. Deploying your fire shelter is NOT a failure!

Take a moment to watch Chrissy Boone's story. Chrissy's courage to talk about your deployment will give you insight and hopefully create a slide you can refer to should you find yourself in a similar situation.

---

Thanks to the USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Program and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center for creating and sharing this video. A special shout out to Chrissy Boone for telling her story.

"Fire Shelter Deployments: Stories and Common Insights" is a program developed by the US Forest Service Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) that will help you understand what you may experience in a fire shelter deployment. Click here fore additional fire shelter information.

IGNITE: Final Responsibility

A leader can give up anything - except final responsibility. – John C. Maxwell

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership. LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: Tatanka IHC]

IGNITE: Leadership by Example

The best example of leadership is leadership by example. – Jerry McClain

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Cedar Fire (2016)]

Does Your Team Suffer from Groupthink?

The time wedge is getting shorter and your team needs to make a decision. You are a very cohesive group. What do you do? Do you hold out on what you feel is "right" or do you conform to the rest of the group for fear of breaking cohesion?

IGNITE: Getting Great Results

If you want great results, you need good people with great talent and awesome attitudes. – Leadership Promises by John Maxwell

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership. LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Davis Morris]

IGNITE: Learning Then Moving On

Learn from the past, just don’t live there. – Mark Miller

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks. #fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Wyoming Interagency Hotshots]

Stress Management

Stress can be described as an imbalance between the demands of our environment and our ability to respond to those demands. Managing stress, or coping, requires adjusting the environment, our personal abilities, or the way we view our world. Situations that seem to be beyond our ability to respond may call for a combination of these coping behaviors.

Coping strategies that work for an individual depend on a host of factors, such as personal references, life experiences, the nature and duration of the challenges, and many others. Physical exercise promotes overall fitness and can help individuals manage stress. Exercise does so both by removing us temporarily from a stressful environment and by helping us to be at our best when we’re dealing with stress.

IGNITE: Help Them Help You

The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leaders. The goal of a great leaders is to help people think more highly of themselves. – J. Carla Nortcutt

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks. #fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS, Pioneer fire (2016)]

IGNITE: Without Trust...

Without trust, there can be no self-confidence, nor confidence in the abilities of others--and no leadership. – Patrick Townsend and Joan Gebhardt

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks. #fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: UC White Mountain Research Center/Graham Turner]

Does Success Fuel Passion or Does Passion Fuel Success?

When asked why they do what they do, wildland firefighters respond with  variety of responses. Common answers include:

• I love what I do.
• I get to see beautiful country.
• I do it for the money.
• Firefighting is in my blood.

Defining why we do what we do comes easy for some and a mystery to others. Passion may not reside with employment. Passion may not be something you seek. In fact, purpose and passion are two different things as seen in the quote below.

Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights your way. ~ Author Unknown

Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper

• We challenge you to watch the following presentations, and then compare and contrast the messages.
• "Technical Passion and Leadership" with Rogers Smith

• "Stop Searching for Your Passion" with Terri Trespicio
• Does success fuel passion or does passion fuel success?
• Is wildland firefighting your purpose or your passion?
• Did you find your passion or did your passion find you?