The Skilled Communicator

"Listen" by highersights is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

“Communications” is a foundational element of firefighter safety as seen in the 10 Standard Orders, 18 Watch Out Situations, LCES, and Leading in the Wildland Fire Service (see below). Unfortunately, failure of communication remains a constant finding in accident and incident reviews. So how can we become skilled communicators?

IGNITE: To Hear What Isn't Said

The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said. – Peter Drucker

[Photo: Entiat IHC]

Challenge #8 - 2023 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #8 – Servant-Leaders are skillful communicators.

• Read pages 15-76 in Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership by James Sipe and Don Frick.
• Focus on Pillar II – Skilled Communicator. We will return to Pillar I.
• Dig deeper on the Portal at http://ow.ly/jVBj50M1zKB.

#servantleadership #2023WFLDPCampaign

IGNITE: The Energy of Compassion

 

You have to protect yourself with the energy of compassion so that when you listen, instead of consuming toxins, you’re actively producing more compassion in yourself.” - The Art of Communication by Thich Nhat Hanh


[Austin Catlin/BLM]

Diagnose Before You Prescribe

As we continue our journey down the servant leadership path focusing on listening and the skilled communicator, I am again inspired by something Stephen Covey mentioned in Habit #5...talk about diagnosing before prescribing.

IGNITE: Peace, Compassion & Joy

“We can communicate in such a way as to solidify the peace and compassion in ourselves and bring joy to others.” - Thich Nhat Hanh, "The Art of Communication"

[Photo: Pioneer Peak IHC]

Challenge #7 - 2023 WFLDP Campaign

 

Challenge #7: A Servant-Leader listens earnestly and speaks effectively.

Download and read “Character and Servant Leadership: Ten Characteristics of Effective, Caring Leaders” by Larry Spears. Read pp. 1-14 in Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership by James Sipe and Don Frick. Dig deeper on the Portal. #servantleadership #2023WFLDPCampaign

IGNITE: Listen to Understand

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. – Stephen Covey

[Photo: San Juan IHC]

IGNITE: Leadership is an affair of the heart.

 

Leadership is not an affair of the head. Leadership is an affair of the heart. 

– Kouzes & Posner by James Sipe & Don Frick, The Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership

Another Confession - I Want to Listen with My Heart

(Listen, Understand, Act" by highersights is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.)

In my last blog, I shared with you that I am a horrible communicator. As I do my research for the 2023 Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) campaign on servant leadership, I have more work to do on listening to others. I want to move from being an active listener to an empathic listener.

IGNITE: Listening is more than hearing

 

Listening is not simply hearing the words that are spoken. – 7 Pillars of Servant Leadership by James Sipes and Don Frick

[Photo: Gannett Glacier Fire Crew]

2023 Professional Reading Program Books Revealed

The WFLDP is announcing the 2023 Professional Reading List! The WFLDP is announcing the 2023 Professional Reading List! The four books chosen for this year are: The Supe’s Handbook by Angie Tom, K2: The 1939 Tragedy by Andrew Kaufmann and William Putnam, The Resilient Life by Dr. Susan Biali Haas, and The 5 Graces of Life and Leadership by Gary Burnison.

Challenge #6 - 2023 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #6: Effective leaders commit to the growth of themselves and their people.

• Download and read Chapter 3 of “The Journey to the East” by Hermann Hesse.
• Join the discussion on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. (Registration preferred, but you may enter as a guest. Search for “Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign.”)
• Book study questions are available on the campaign website.

IGNITE: The Good Communicator

 

“And so I had him thinking of me as a good conversationalist when, in reality, I had been merely a good listener and had encouraged him to talk.” – Dale Carnegie

[Photo: LaGrande IHC]

Confessions of a Poor Communicator

(Photo: Kari Greer)

I have a couple confessions to make. First, I am not the world's greatest communicator. I talk in riddles. I use pronouns too much which confuses the heck out of people. My mind has wandered, and I've interrupted people more times than I care to admit. There are times I am so distracted by my electronic devices or whatever has my attention that I am not fully present when others are talking to me. There are times (I am embarrassed to admit it) but I just don't care enough about the person to engage. I have been a horrible communicator.

IGNITE: An Important Element

 

One of the most important elements in teaching, conducting, and performing, all three, is listening. – Itzhak Perlman

[Photo: Justin Vernon/USFS]

Challenge #5 - 2023 WFLDP Campaign

 Challenge #5: Effective leaders commit to the growth of themselves and their people.

• Download and read Chapter 4 of “The Journey to the East” by Hermann Hesse.
• Join the discussion on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. (Registration preferred, but you may enter as a guest. Search for “Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign.”)
• Book study questions are available on the campaign website.

IGNITE: Helping Versus Serving

We often “help” best by talking but “serve” best by listening; “help” by actions but “serve” by actions and simple presence. – 7 Pillars of Servant Leadership by James Sipes and Don Frick

[Photo: Union IHC/USFS]