Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Furlough Notice

Due to the lapse in funding of the federal government budget, this page will not be managed until funding is restored.

Please do not comment on this message.

Monday, December 24, 2018

IGNITE: Season's Greetings

On behalf of the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee and the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program, Season's Greetings and Merry Christmas.  [Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS] (firefighter looking upon a fully engaged tree)
On behalf of the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee and the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program, Season's Greetings and Merry Christmas.

[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS]

Thursday, December 20, 2018

IGNITE: Great Relationships

Great relationships aren't built in a day - great relationships are built daily (Unknown) [hotshot crew heading down the hill at sunset]
Great relationships aren't built in a day - great relationships are built daily. - Unknown
[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Shame - The Virus No Organization Wants

(Photo: John Hain/Pixabay)
"Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection." - Brene Brown
If there is one phrase that sets me off, it is "Shame on you." A family member uses it often and without much merit (in my humble opinion).  Maybe we don't agree on an issue, but being labeled as shameful hurts.

Monday, December 17, 2018

IGNITE: Challenge the Process

Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you.  - John Wooden (handcrew digging line)
Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you. - John Wooden

[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS]

Thursday, December 13, 2018

IGNITE: A Leader's Integrity

Followers assess their leader's integrity every day. If people believe a leader has integrity, they can accept other weaknesses and help compensate for them. - Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 59  [Photo: Donna Thompson/Alaska Fire Service] (Helicopter with sunset behind)


Followers assess their leader's integrity every day. If people believe a leader has integrity, they can accept other weaknesses and help compensate for them. - Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 59
[Photo: Donna Thompson/Alaska Fire Service]

IGNITE: Offer Alternatives

Merely complaining without proposing an alternative offers nothing. - Jacque Fresco (look at a retardant drop from the back)

Merely complaining without proposing an alternative offers nothing. - Jacque Fresco

[Photo credit: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Words of Wisdom

(Credit: Tumisu/Pixabay)
From time to time, our readers and followers find issue with our blogs and posts, especially when the quote comes from someone who has found their actions to less than stellar. I understand the frustration, but I also know I need to cite the words that I choose. I could make the citation smaller, but I give full credit to the person cited.

Monday, December 10, 2018

IGNITE: Buying In

People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision. - John C. Maxwell  [Photo: Kari Greer/USFS] (leader sharing the vision with the crew)
People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision. - John C. Maxwell

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]

Thursday, December 6, 2018

IGNITE: One Person Can Make a Difference

One person can make a difference and everyone should try.   - John F. Kennedy (firefighter looking into a forest ablaze]
One person can make a difference and everyone should try. - John F. Kennedy

[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS]

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Smooth Transitions


A_bad_day_for_the_ego_is_a_good_day_for_the_soul.jpg

As we approach the end of the calendar year, many will attend gatherings to honor fellow co-workers moving into a new phase of life—retirement. In many cases, retirements mean vacancies to be filled, yet another new phase of life. Just like fire operations, handling the transition is critical. We may only have one shot to do it right.

Monday, December 3, 2018

IGNITE: Leaders are Learners

The best leaders are life-long students of leadership. - Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 60  Photo credit: Ben Eby (firefighter on the fireline)

The best leaders are life-long students of leadership. - Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 60

Photo credit: Ben Eby