Challenge #63 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #63 - The Art of Leadership
Leaders surround themselves with people who can hold them accountable and can give them honest feedback.

• Do you have an inner circle?
• Evaluate your inner circle to ensure you have people who ask the hard questions and keep you honest.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Moral Capacity

"Leaders are more likely to recognize moral dilemmas in the workplace if they have a heightened level of moral capacity.

♦ Douglas May, Timothy Hodges, Adrian Chan & Bruce Avolio ♦

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]

Challenge #62 - Art of Leadership

Challenge #62 - Art of Leadership:

We don't learn much when everything goes right. We learn most when things go wrong. – Simon Sinek

• Read Kyle Eliason’s article “11 Tips for a Successful Post-Mortem.” (http://bit.ly/334Jc0o)
• Ensure you conduct an examination of both right and wrong events.
• Celebrate successes and learn from failures.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: The Power of Presence

We convince by our presence. ♦ Walt Whitman ♦

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

#fireleadership

To Communicate or Not To Communicate

(Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay)

Communication (Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 22)

Communication is the primary tool for establishing an effective command climate. The ability to communicate effectively is universally rated as one of the most important leadership behaviors.

Communication is the foundation upon which we build trust and enable our teams to develop cohesion. Effective communication is a two-way process. Good leaders actively listen to build trust with others. Communication enables us to convey objectives and intent, break error chains, and improve situation awareness. Leaders are cognizant of the central role that communication plays in the ability to lead and always strive to become better communicators.

Challenge 61: The Art of Leadership

Challenge 61: The Art of Leadership
Drills aren’t just a tool in a carpenter’s toolbox.

• Practice! Practice! Practice!
• Set up a drill (pre-mortem exercise) for your team.
• Foster relationships with outside groups and hold joint drills.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Do It Right the First Time

“If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?” ♦ John Wooden ♦
[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]
#fireleadership

Challenge #60 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #60 - The Art of Leadership

Leadership is not a solo “sport.”

• Take a moment to thank someone who helped you get to where you are today.
• Acknowledge someone within your sphere of influence who is presently making your job easier.

#artofleadership

Don't Tell Me What I Want to Hear

(Photo: Gellinger/Pixabay)

I was talking to my co-worker about a recent fire assignment he had been on. He told me about a trainee, a hotshot crew member, he was mentoring. At one point, my co-worker asked the firefighter to go scout a section of the fire and report back to him. The firefighter came back and gave his report. My co-worker asked the firefighter what plan of action they should take. The firefighter said, "May I speak freely?" My co-worker was a bit taken back by the response and took the opportunity to lead by saying (and I paraphrase), "Of course you do! I want you to tell me what you think, not what I want to hear."

Challenge #59 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #59 - The Art of Leadership
Leaders put the needs of others before self.

• Check in on someone. Be present with and available for them during your visit.
• Devote yourself to a cause.
• Consider being a mentor.

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Ask the Right Question

The ability to ask the right question is more than half the battle of finding the answer. ♦ Thomas J. Watson ♦

[Photo: La Grande IHC]

#fireleadership

Challenge #58 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #58 - The Art of Leadership
Great leaders know who they are and what they want. Respond to the following in your journal.

• What defines you?
• Are you doing what you want to be doing? Why not?
• What about your job as a leader brings you joy?
• What about your job causes you concern?

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Understanding What We Cannot See

Leaders understand the value in the things we cannot see.

♦ Simon Sinek ♦

[Photo: San Juan IHC]
#fireleadership

Is Our Culture Critically Endangered?

Cemetery Ridge/Pickett's Charge area

I recently watched Barry Mosses' TEDx talk: Preserving endangered languages. I found the talk enlightening on multiple levels, including diversity and inclusion. With regard to leadership, however, I began thinking about the wildland fire service and the whether or not the culture change that occurred following the South Canyon tragedy is endangered.

Challenge #57 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #57 - The Art of Leadership 

Effective leaders maximize training effectiveness.

• What plan do you have in place to ensure training transfer occurs? 
• Are you fostering a culture where sharing knowledge and information is encouraged? 
• Do you have a safe space in which people can learn? 

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Earn It & Claim It!

Leadership isn't something that anyone can give you—you have to earn it and claim it for yourself.
♦ Travis Bradberry, forward of Great Leaders Have No Rules ♦

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]
#fireleadership.gov

Challenge #56 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #56 - The Art of Leadership
Leaders are responsible for nurturing organizational culture.

• Are you familiar with values, assumptions, and beliefs or your organization? Are you sharing them with your team?
• Do the behaviors of your team members and yourself match those of the organization?
• Develop a plan of action to address behavior issues and cultural change.

*Inspiration: Growing Influence by R. Price & S. Ennis

#artofleadership

IGNITE: Your Personal Example

The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.

♦ Coach John Wooden ♦

[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS]
#fireleadership

Be A Good Human

(Photo: Brit Floyd courtesy of Pam McDonald)

The development of character is at the heart of our development, not just as leaders, but as human beings. - John Maxwell

In 1971, Helen Ready released her song "I Am Woman." I loved her song then, and I love it now. You see, talking about gender is not something new. Having been in wildland fire for more than 30 years, I have seen the gender issue come and go. Some might say I am a survivor. I consider myself a good and loyal servant.  You see, I see firefighters as humans—not male or female.

Challenge #55 - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #55 - The Art of Leadership
In your journal, respond to the following questions. Include a plan of action.

• Are you content with your job?
• Are you learning enough?
• Are you challenged enough?
• What causes you joy and discontent with your job?

#artofleadership

IGNITE: The Essential Need for Moral Courage

"Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.“ ♦ Robert F. Kennedy ♦

[Photo: Globe IHC]
#fireleadership