Employing Our People in Accordance with Their Capabilities

Teams are comprised of individuals, each with his or her own strengths and weaknesses. Some are stronger; others are faster. Some are better with numbers; others are better with words. Some are good with machinery, and others are better with people.

Challenge #30 - 2021 WFLDP Campaign

 

Challenge #30: Leaders acknowledge what right looks like. 

• Review your team members’ leadership actions.
• Has anyone exhibited exceptional leadership worthy of recognition?
• Visit the WFLDP website and download the Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award nomination form 
• Send us your completed nomination by 12/31/21 → BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov

IGNITE: By Example Not Force

 

(Photo: Josh Shroyer)

A leader leads by example not by force. - Sun Tzu

Bush and McIntosh Recognize for Motivation and Vision

 

(L: Eric Bush, R: Jeremy McIntosh)

Eric Bush
National Rappel Specialist
USDA – FS WO Fire and Aviation Management


Jeremy McIntosh
Equipment Specialist
FS WO Engineering NTDP

Category: Motivation and Vision

Congratulations to Eric Bush and Jeremy McIntosh for being selected as one of the recipients for the 2020 Paul Gleason Lead by Example award. Four individuals and one group from across the wildland fire service have been chosen to receive this national award.

Resilience

The ultimate team result is resilience: teams that can bounce back when problems or errors threaten cohesion and synergy. Resilient teams practice behaviors that reinforce situation awareness, communication, and learning. 

Team Results

Leaders create teams that focus on the team result. This requires us to articulate a clear end state, specifying success criteria so that team members can turn intent into focused and decisive action. 

The important human element of morale is related to this focus on team results. High morale is a visible expression of team cohesion, and channeling the team’s energy to a common focal point builds strong cohesion. 

[Click here to download a copy of Leading in the Wildland Fire Service.]

Challenge #29: 2021 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #29: Leaders establish a sense of order in the leadership environment.

• Review the SOP information on the WFLDP website.
• Using this information and the examples provided, develop and/or update your SOPs.
• Send us your SOPs so we can share with others → BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov.

#2021WFLDPcampaign #fireleadership

IGNITE: SOPs - A Framework for Safety

 

SOPs provide leaders the framework to conduct business safely by allowing them to focus on critical decisions instead of routine ones thus enhancing their decision-making ability in stressful situations. ♦ Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program/www.fireleadership.gov ♦


[Photo: La Grande IHC]

Peer Accountability

Leaders create teams in which team members hold each other accountable. More than any system of reward and discipline, more than any policy, the fear of letting down respected teammates and peers represents the most effective means of accountability. 

Flashback: The Courage to Create a New Culture

 

"Leading change in any organization requires the courage to start, commitment to stay the course, and the character to set the bar and more importantly to admit when we are wrong. Firefighting is the province of danger and courage is a critical element of the firefighter. Courage is hard to describe but easily noticeable when displayed."