What Is Your Favorite Part of the Book? Which Chapter Was Your Favorite?

 

Author: Christopher Ayer, Corona De Tucson Fire Department

How do we develop leadership and growth in our younger crew members between classes?

The Diamond Mountain Hotshots have adopted a unique strategy for fostering growth and leadership within their crew. Recognizing a gap in leadership development after completing the L-280 course "Followership to Leadership", a crew member highlighted the lack of intermediate training opportunities that could further enhance leadership skills.

Meghann Gunther, a member of the crew, articulated this concern. Gunther underscores the necessity of supplemental training to bridge the gap between foundational courses like L-280 and higher-level leadership roles. She emphasizes that such training is vital for not only her personal development but also for cultivating the leadership potential within her crew.

“There were no additional resources given to the building our leadership skills during our upcoming season and it felt more like an event to simply check boxes for wildfire qualifications. It's content was made up of well-intentioned material, but it felt sterile. I didn’t come away with a lot of that translated to me on an operational basis at my GS-3 level. Maybe I was put through that class too early. However, it was the next step in leadership training available and it was an opportunity to attend and participate.”

The superintendent of the Diamond Mountain Hotshots, Daniel Dobyns recognized an opportunity to invest in his crew’s growth and took proactive steps to address their needs. By engaging in open dialogue and asking thoughtful questions, he worked with the team to identify areas where development was most needed. Together, they devised an innovative plan to foster leadership and communication skills: a weekly reading and discussion group, or “book club.” The crew began reading and discussing chapters from the Extreme Ownership Workbook, a guide rooted in the principles of leadership and accountability outlined by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.

Each Monday, they dedicated time to reflect on the reading, sharing insights and exploring ways to apply the lessons in their daily work. In addition, Megahnn Gunther  introduced Dale Carnegie's classic How to Win Friends and Influence People, recognizing that strong communication skills were crucial for both individual and team success. This dual focus on leadership and interpersonal development exemplifies the crew's commitment to holistic growth, ensuring that each member not only performs well in their roles but also gains the skills necessary to lead and collaborate effectively.

This approach underscores a significant leadership lesson for superintendents, engine bosses, and captains: the value of incorporating underutilized methods to foster growth and engagement within crews and engines. Our personnel are eager for opportunities to develop their skills and leadership potential, creating a synergistic relationship where we as leaders are learning from them incorporating a growth mindset. By offering innovative and alternative strategies to meet these needs, leaders can achieve both individual growth and increased crew buy-in. While foundational leadership courses provide an essential starting point, they are not sufficient to sustain motivation and development throughout a firefighter's career.

In today’s challenging environment of retention, creating positive opportunities for growth and engagement is critical to keeping talented personnel excited about their work in wildfire management. Resources like the NWCG Professional Reading Program offer a wealth of tools, including curated books and discussion guides, to support self-study and facilitate meaningful growth for individuals and crews. By leveraging these resources and encouraging creative approaches, leaders can cultivate a motivated, cohesive team ready to face the dynamic demands of wildland firefighting.

Christopher Ayer is a Captain/ Paramedic/ Engine Boss Trainee/ Wildland Coordinator for Corona De Tucson Fire Department in Tucson Arizona. The expressions and views are those of the author.