IGNITE: Preparing for New Growth

The question mark is an inverted plow, breaking up the hard soil of old belief and preparing for the new growth." - Saul Alensky

The Distracted Mind

How many times have you been working and you notice an ache somewhere on your body? My guess it wasn't something that was gradual. And as soon as you acknowledged the pain, you felt more pain.

Challenge #4 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #4 - The Art of Leadership: Read Max De Pree's book "Leadership is an Art."

IGNITE: Learning to Lead

Learning to lead is one of those personal capacities continuously improved by repeated application and accumulated experience. - Michael Useem

[Photo: Entiat IHC]

IGNITE: Being Better

When leaders get better, the lives they touch get better. - Dan Rockwell

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

Kimberly Lightley Honored with 2018 LBE Award

[L to R: Ted Mason, Ashleigh D'Antonia, Director Shawna Legarza, Kimberly Lightley, Monica Morrison, John Wood, Jim Shultz, and Mike Ellsworth]

Kimberly Lightley
Critical Incident Specialist
USDA, Washington Office
Honored for Motivation and Vision

Kimberly Lightley has been selected as one of the recipients for the 2018 Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award. Three individuals and one group from across the wildland fire service have been chosen to receive this national award.

Good, Better, Best

(MasterTux/Pixabay)

To err is human, to forgive divine. - Alexander Pope

When I started at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise 18 years ago, I had a bit of an ego problem (maybe I still do). I had a resume filled with experiences that helped me land a permanent job with the wildland fire service after 15 seasons of temporary employment and a career as an educator. Along with the resume came for perfection and the need to please. My identity was tied closely to the work I produced. Find an error in the work I did and you take a hit at my character.

Challenge #3: The Art of Leadership

Challenge #3: In your leadership journal, write your definition of "leadership."

IGNITE: It Doesn't Matter Who Gets Credit

“It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” ― Harry S. Truman (1884–1972)

[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS]

Blue Ribbon Staff Ride - Honoring Through Learning

Kasie Crowe and George Risko doing margin demonstration

“Put your people first - Today, Tomorrow, Forever” – Jim Karels

The Soul of Courage

(Credit: Dan Rockwell/Leadership Freak)

Empathy is the sould of courage.

Click here to read more on the subject.

Exercise: Values Exploration

John Hain/Pixabay

Values Exploration Exercise

How would you define your personal values?

Before you answer this question, you need to know what, in general, values are.

Values are what drive your decisions and actions in life.  They are qualities that are considered worthwhile and represent your highest priorities.  Values are learned through your life experiences by witnessing, imitating, and accepting/rejecting.  Values are subjective and defined by one’s self.  Your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live. This is why making a conscious effort to identify your values is so important. When you define your values, you discover what's truly important to you. A good way of starting to do this is to look back on your life – to identify when you felt really good, and really confident that you were making good choices.

This is an exercise in getting to know who you are. Putting some time and thought into what drives you is helpful in understanding different interactions you have and how you integrate with others. It is a discretionary tool and can be accomplished with or without the content below as long as you have three (3) identified personal values listed. 

Challenge #2 - The Art of Leadership

Art of Leadership 

Leaders deeply affect people and organizations, both positively and negatively. Accidental leaders, who have little interest or enthusiasm for leadership responsibilities or self-improvement, can inhibit people’s growth and reduce the effectiveness of their organizations.

IGNITE: Practicing is Key

The visible signs of artful leadership are expressed, ultimately, in its practice. - Max De Pree
[Photo credit: Midewin IHC]

IGNITE: Leaders Empower Others

Leaders aren’t great because they have power. Leaders are great because they can empower.

 Lolly Daskal œ

2019 Professional Reading List Announced!

The 2019 edition of the NWCG Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program Professional Reading List is now live on the PRP website (linked below), and a summary of the books on the list is attached. I’ve also attached the discussion guides for easy access. Please share widely within your spheres of influence!

https://www.nwcg.gov/wfldp/toolbox/prp

The four books chosen for this year are: The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin; Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle; and Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke.  Each book has a discussion guide with a description of the title, some links to videos or podcasts that dive deeper or summarize the ideas in the book, and a list of questions intended to generate thought and discussion.

Expand Your Radius

Remember this video:

 (If you haven't seen the video, make sure you do before you read on!)

The Art of Leadership - Challenge #1

Note: We will be using the journal throughout the year!

IGNITE: Leaders Have a Duty to Serve

If serving is below you, leadership is beyond you. - Anonymous