IGNITE: Outside the Comfort Zone

(Photo: Mesa IHC)

There's no growth in the comfort zone.

Jocko Willink œ

Thinking About Thinking

By Special Collections, Lehigh University Libraries;
Chrétien Frédéric Guillaume Roth [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

When everything is connected to everything else, for better or worse, everything matters. - Bruce Mou

Some of you can remember the days when the gadget you wore on your wrist ONLY told you the time of day. You even had to know how to tell time by the position of the hands on the face of the dial. Nowadays, we have the likes of a supercomputer (back in the day) on our wrist or by our side. These advancements in technology necessitate we think about thinking.

IGNITE: Lessons of the Past

(Photo credit: James Bradford/Cedar City IHC)

The past teaches us the lessons we need to gain momentum to move forward. - Lolly Daskal

IGNITE: The Great Outdoors

(Photo credit: Mike Monaghan/Zephyr Fire Crew)

“All those hours exploring the great outdoors made me more resilient and confident.”

David Suzuki œ

A Firm Foundation

When I was a child, I learned a song about a wise man building a house upon a rock to provide a sturdy foundation and protection when the rains came down and the floods came up. The foolish man built his house upon the sand. You can imagine what happened to his house. This analogy can easily be extended to the leadership environment. What is the purpose (foundation) upon which you are building your team? Why are you doing what you are doing? 

The Wise Leader

• Is proficient in his/her job, both technically and as a leader
• Makes sound and timely decisions
• Ensures that tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished
• Develops his/her team members for the future
• Knows his/her team members and looks out for their well-being
• Keeps his/her team members informed
• Builds the team
• Employs his/her team members in accordance with their capabilities

The Foolish One

• Is not fit for duty, lacking the capacity to lead
• Makes decisions by him/herself without input from their team
• Has no faith in their team's ability and either micromanages the team or is completely hands-off
• Looks out for self only
• Keeps information to themself

The purpose behind our actions is cornerstone of our leadership framework. Unfortunately, not every team's why establishes a sturdy foundation. Gather your team together and talk about your why. Is your foundation built on rock or sand?

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

IGNITE: Preparation - An Ally of Courage

[Photo credit: Entiat IHC]

Courage has no greater ally than preparation, and fear has no greater enemy. - John Maxwell

IGNITE: Beyond Dirty

(Photo credit: Ruby Mountain IHC)

“It is inevitable if you enter into relationships with people on a regular basis that you will grow to be like them…Remember that if you consort with someone covered in dirt you can hardly avoid getting a little grimy yourself.” - Epictetus

(Disclaimer: Please don't read anything into the picture used with permission from Ruby Mountain IHC. It says nothing more about the crew than they are dirty from a hard day's work fighting fire; it says nothing about their culture. Feel free to do some introspection of your own relationships, however.)

Taking the Trust Leap

(Photo: Kari Greer/USFS)

As part of the 2018 National Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign - Leading Through Relationships, I would like to delve into one of my favorite leadership pillars—trust. In my mind, trust is the most important aspect of leadership. If you don't have trust in a relationship, you have nothing. (And I am not just talking about a relationship with a significant other or loved one.)

IGNITE: Listen!

(Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS)

Leaders who don't listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say.

Andy Stanley œ

IGNITE: The Leader's AAR

“Do not go to bed until you have gone over the day three times in your mind. What wrong did I do? What good did I accomplish? What did I forget to do?” - Pythagoras

Photo credit: Justin Robinson, Vale BLM

Remembering Cramer

(Photo credit: Wildfire Today)

In the Salmon River Breaks of central Idaho, fire is a frequent visitor. The area has a somewhat legendary status in the pantheon of wildland fire, known for the steep slopes that rise seemingly without end from the Salmon River to the timbered ridges high above, where bighorn sheep mingle with rattlesnakes, and firefighters know to take extra care at every step. The Breaks play a role in the stories of many fire managers, some amusing, some somber, all taking into account that this is a place where firefighters must take care, or risk being broken by the land.

IGNITE: Communication Matters to the Relationship

Relationships can be built or broken by the quality of the communication. -The Chief’s Aide

[Photo credit: La Grande IHC]

IGNITE: A Learning Mindset

(Photo credit: Redding IHC)

A person is not going to undertake to learn anything that they think they already know. - Epictetus