The following quote reminds me of something Alexis Waldron, PhD, Human Performance Specialist, said as advisor to the NWCG Leadership Committee, "Meet them where they are." Alexis was advising the group on how to reach our audience at the "tip of the spear"—most of those audience being younger than those themselves.
“I think I’m masterful when it comes to knowing certain things on the floor, but that doesn’t make me a great coach. What makes me a great coach is I know how to meet people where they are to take them where they need to go.” ― Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball Head CoachAs we unpack Coach Staley's statement, the "rest of the story" comes to this blog. We need to ensure that we not only meet our people where they are but also "take them where they need to go." Members of our team will vary greatly as to knowledge, skills and abilities. Getting to know your people and helping them with next steps is vital to helping our follower reach their goals but ensuring that me all work together to fulfill the organization's mission.
"...curriculum developers and teachers must strive to create learning environments that build upon the experience of the students and challenge them to go beyond what they know or can do." - Learning in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 40.
Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper
There is a lot of talk about reformation of the wildland fire service, including pay and benefits. There is more to meeting a person where they are than promotions. Sometimes, meeting a person where they are and ensuring they are able to grow where they are is all a person needs. Check out this Leadership Freak video interview with Julie Winkle Giulioni, 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.
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