Leadership is something I am passionate about. That’s why I spent the past two years studying it. Why am I so passionate about leadership? Because leadership can make or break an organization.
Recently, I have noticed a disturbing trend: There has been an increasing number of people in positions of leadership who are either RIP (retired in place) or who have absolutely zero belief in the mission and goal of the organization. Leadership is not managing an organization; anyone can manage an organization, even though some are better at it than others. Leadership is motivating people around a common mission and goal.
Leaders who are retired in place or have no belief in the mission may have started off with the best intentions; most do. Politics and having a hard time working within the system cause them to eventually give up and show up to collect a paycheck and go home. Don’t be that person. Don’t ever lose the fire and passion for the job. Following are some tips that have helped me to stay motivated and on top of my game.
Learn something new about the job every day. Don’t become complacent. My friend and an instructor John Dixon cautions in The Normalization of Deviance: “Poor behaviors eventually become the everyday norm, and no one thinks to change it until it’s too late. Don’t let the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the person that is supposed to be providing leadership get you down.” If you find yourself in such a situation, you’re the one responsible for your success and the success of the team.
General “Stormin’ ” Norman Schwarzkopf, for whom I have a great deal of admiration and after whom I model my leadership philosophy, proposed two rules of leadership. The first rule, Rule 10, states that when placed in command, take charge. What does that mean? In just about every organization, many people want to be in charge until something goes wrong. A leader accepts responsibility for everything – the good, the bad, and the ugly. The leader is responsible for motivating, building enthusiasm, and making sure that the members are completely clear on the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
The second rule, Rule 20, is, Do what’s right. We all have a sense of what the moral, ethical, and correct thing to do is. In leadership, there will be situations that may not always fall in line with what the department or HQ wants done. Doing the right thing entails knowing how to challenge department policy without blatantly disregarding it. Challenge the person who wrote the controversial policy to an open discussion in which there is an open exchange of ideas. An important aspect of Rule 20 is to be open to the exchange of ideas and information. Situations will arise when doing the right thing that may not make you look good as an individual. Do what’s right anyway. The good of the organization or the crew is more important than how you might look when the dust settles.
George McNeil, BS, MS, NR-P, ISO
Cortez, Colorado
FDIC INTERNATIONAL 2017: first lap of my “100,000-hour journey”
As a volunteer firefighter with a miniscule five years of service, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend my first FDIC International. I’d like to share my thoughts on what was a most amazing week.
It goes without saying that the training I attended was fabulous. The hands-on training classes provided me with impactful techniques I can employ to be a more efficient and effective firefighter – for example, Aaron Fields’ “Nozzle Forward” class gave me a framework for accomplishing what I used to consider the hardest aspect of the work: efficient and effective hose advancement. The classroom sessions were daily affirmations of the fact that I am a participant in one of the most amazing professions. In each, I learned little nuggets of information I now have tucked away inside my brain, hopefully for a quick recall when needed.
The one thing above all that I took from FDIC, however, was a new understanding that I am the only one who can ensure that I am ready at any moment for that one time when it may take every ounce I have to accomplish a career-defining mission. Sure, I am issued top-of-the-line gear, ride in the newest apparatus, and receive fantastic and practical training inside my department. It is, however, the daily repetitions on tasks that will allow me to perform as required. This brings me to the center of what my thoughts are with regard to anyone who may have the opportunity to attend this amazing event.
It is up to you to review what was learned during FDIC International or any training session. I filled an entire notebook with what I learned over the week and am in the progress of putting together a plan on how to ensure those little nuggets of information and techniques gained from repeated hands-on training don’t go to waste. I’m implementing a personal fitness program revolving around the functional requirements of firefighters. I’m rewriting my scribbled notes into a formal “Firefighter Notebook” I keep to assist in remembering small bits of knowledge and recollections of previous incidents. During tailboard moments, I’m sharing with my brothers and sisters the notes I’ve taken to burn those thoughts into my mind so I can recall them when I reach my “lizard brain” moment. I’m committing myself to read or watch one training video or article each morning. Finally, I’m getting to the station more frequently on my own time and setting up “mini-situations” so I can run myself through the evolution drills I learned at FDIC International.
I’m implementing all of this and sharing it with the community not to pat myself on the back but because what I experienced at FDIC 2017 is an inflection point in my young firefighting career. I was impacted by too many people and too many classes to list here. With this letter, I hope to reach at least one person who will also say, “Yes, I learned invaluable information that will only serve me well as long as I don’t let the FDIC experience become a faded memory.” So, as Eddie Buchanan framed it in the “Rockstar Leadership” class, “Nobody sees the 10,000 hours the professional puts in; they just see the result.” If you had a stellar learning experience as I did, put a plan together to begin your 10,000-hour journey, and don’t let your experiences fade.
John Sole
Firefighter
Apple Valley (MN) Fire Department
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