Lesson #10 - The Expansion of Leadership: Personal Growth
Question #1- How often do you do things that take you out of your comfort zone? What did you learn through that process?
Question #2- Are you naturally more curious and growth oriented or active and goal conscious? How has that helped or hindered you professionally?
Please answer both questions and respond to other's posts
Congratulations of completing the Book and questions to Developing the Leader Within You- 2.0, I hope everyone got a good sense of what to strive for or improve on what you already have! Thank you for the great participation and opening up with your input, we all learned from YOU!
Question #1 - I feel as if I work outside of my comfort zone quite often. But, I have to admit, that wasn't always the case. I believe that in order to grow you have to be "comfortable with being uncomfortable." You need to open yourself up and experience new things. Throughout the process I have learned that it's ok to fail. Failure is the first step to growth as long as we learn from it.
ReplyDeleteGood perspective Mike. We all love being comfortable.
DeleteWe choose our homes, cars, and clothes because they are comfortable - creature comforts. We are creatures; creatures of habit and comfort. It isn't until we step outside of those comforts that we experience growth, and sometimes humility. Doing so also makes us more appreciative of those comforts we've all learned to enjoy.
Great point Mike, In the fire service we get to a point of being comfortable with being uncomfortable. Opening up isn't easy for everyone, but its truly the only way to grow as a person.
DeleteWe live in a culture where it’s all about comfort. We can’t change when we are comfortable and change is a “bad word” in the fire service. These types of conversations are a change for us because we don’t do these often. I have learned a lot from engaging with you guys on leadership topics. Talking about ladders, hose, pumps, and ropes are all comfortable topics and yeah we learn but do we grow from those subjects?
DeleteI like your saying mike, Get comfortable being uncomfortable. By getting used to being uncomfortable, when tough situations come up they don't seem that bad to handle.
DeleteWell said Mike. All points. Thanks for that.
DeleteAs I read your answer I think two things. One, in my younger years I couldn’t understood how people could fail at something and want to keep trying. Then immediately my thoughts went to - we all learned how to walk as infants. I wonder what was motivating me (and everyone else) to get up and keep trying? Something so base yet challenging. Thats something to recapture and hold on to.
DeleteQuestion #1
ReplyDeleteTypically, I stay within my comfort zone on a daily bases. However, I’m always up for a challenge to get put in the hot seat, to challenge myself to my full potential. I feel like when I’m out of my comfort zone is when I truly find out what I know, this allows me to find out my weaknesses and turn them into my strengths.
That is a great point Tommy, accepting the challenge gives you an opportunity to identify where work is still needed. I like your mindset and willingness to put yourself out there.
DeleteQuestion #2
ReplyDeleteI believe I’m naturally more curious and growth oriented. I like that you have the ability to grow as a person and professionally every day. Maxwell states “ If you try to lead out of what you learned long in the past, and you’re not growing in the present, the clock is ticking on your time as a leader. This has helped me maintain a positive attitude and take a situation as an opportunity to grow and learn. I continue to work on this daily because I’m not perfect, and I allow myself to get negative sometimes which makes me lose focus. What doesn’t break me only can make me stronger!
Well said Tommy. Very true. We have a difficult job with a lot of things coming at us from all directions. If you apply stress, duress, pressure or tension on ANYTHING eventually it WILL break. When we feel these we need to change, adapt and learn, or break and learn a little more.
DeleteWe all know perfection is impossible and not real. Humility plays a huge role in growth. If you look at how fast time flies, we are here for a short time and should not let important lessons to be wasted. All of our experiences and growth should be shared with others for their benefit. CVFD is a 180 degree different place than when I started here 27 years ago. A few of us have that perspective here because we lived it, I hope to see us move the ball forward and continue sharpening each other and work more a team instead of individuals. Let’s Stay “Mission Focused” and at the same time building each other up!
ReplyDeleteI don’t enjoy failure, but I like a challenge and I don’t fear failing from taking a calculated risk. As an example of getting out of my comfort zone, when ordering food at a restaurant, I’ll ask the server to pick my meal, or in another way, I seek out playlists of others and listen to them. Sometimes, these things can be enjoyable, and other times disappointing. Yet, they are a low risk way to “get out of my comfort zone.” When Dave Flores drove for me on the truck and engine, he would always be so diligent about putting the apparatus in easy, safe places. Then after a call, I’d ask him to drive through what he was trying to avoid and he’d roll his eyes at me and we’d drive through tough areas. I’d always let him know, we might have to do this during an emergency, let’s see if it’s possible. Definitely a way to get out of your “comfort zone.”
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely different when you put yourself in a position out of your comfort zone versus when someone else does it for you. I can appreciate the situation you shared about Dave, because most of the instances I’ve been out of my comfort zone I was moved there by someone else. Most of the times I didn’t appreciate them doing that, but here, down the road a bit, I can see the benefit.
DeleteQuestion #1- How often do you do things that take you out of your comfort zone? What did you learn through that process?
ReplyDeleteSomething that we all love is our comfort zone. Thats why we are all resisastant to change. When I first started acting as a Captain, I was completely out of my comfort zone. I was the one making the decisions, talking on the radio, and planning the day. As an Egineer I knew my job. I came to work, did my checkout, washed the rig and fuled it. I was comfortable in that position. But I soon learned that I needed to put myself in the role of a Captain so I could learn and grow. We Need to push ourselves if we want growth. Now, when I get the position of captain, I will be more prepared for the role. Already working out of my comfort zone, I was challenged to grow. It allowed me to pilot an area that I have interest. Already I have been able to examine my strengths and weakness in this position, and this knowledge pushes me to continually learn so that I can bring my best self to my crew, the department, and myself.
Your development will continue if you invest in it. Never stop learning.
DeleteQuestion #1
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly is an intermittent occurrence for me. It is the fear of failure, looking foolish or not feeling as if I have what it takes. When I do go out of my comfort zone, it often pays dividends and I feel good about it after. One example of this was when I worked for Upland. I was asked to put on an MCI class to both Montclair and Upland Fire Departments. I was very hesitant to accept the assignment but was very glad I did. I learned that I was more capable of teaching that I previously had thought. I also learned a lot during the process, collaborated with private and public sectors to build my class, learned from people that had run large MCI’s and got to bring some new equipment to both departments. During the class, I incorporated a table top exercise which allowed others to step outside of their comfort zone and fill ICS positions. We included dispatch into the exercise which also allowed for Med Comm to make contact. The learning experience was great for me and the crews that attended. Everyone was very appreciative and stated they got a lot out of it which hopefully translates to the field should they need to do it for real.
Travis,
DeleteThis seemed like an excellent experience for you; I understand and respect the hesitation you might have had. From personal experience, I know teaching others, especially in subjects you’re not comfortable with, is the best way to learn them yourself. It is also a great way to show humility and instill a sense of growth in your team.
When you challenge yourself, is when you can reach your full potential.
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ReplyDeleteI agree Mark, By being more well rounded it gives you more confidence and knowledge to handle the unexpected.
DeleteThis is an area where I feel I could improve. Remaining open and well-rounded is the key to success, not only professionally but personally as well.
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DeleteQuestion #2- Are you naturally more curious and growth oriented or active and goal conscious? How has that helped or hindered you professionally?
When I first started with the Fire District, I would say that I was naturally more active and goal conscious. I love to get involved in the district and community. I was aware of my choices and knew my plans, which put me in my comfort zone. As I grew with the District, my curiosity grew also. I was interested in improving myself to lead and promote. This has supported me because it has given me a well-rounded sense of self. I have had the opportunity to explore learning in various contexts, and through that learning, I have been able to set achievable goals for myself. Having these diverse perspectives will add value to my future goal of becoming a captain.
Question #1- How often do you do things that take you out of your comfort zone? What did you learn through that process? I believe I work out of my comfort zone about 30 % of the time and 70% in the comfort zone. I have learned to adapt a mind set of “embrace the suck”. I have discovered by embracing the suck this where your true learning starts along with true growth. By pushing yourself through challenges that you thought you couldn’t do. This where you discover not only what you can do but that , you can do other things that you thought were not possible.
ReplyDeleteQuestion#2- Are you naturally more curious and growth oriented or active and goal conscious?
ReplyDeleteHow has that helped or hindered you professionally? I am naturally more curious and growth oriented. By being more curious and growth oriented it allows me to be good and strong in a particular area. As time goes on though we all hit a point where we need to be active and have different goals which allows us to grow and be stronger in other areas.
That's a good outlook, Brian. I can definitely see how we can change from one mindset to the next as we grow and develop.
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ReplyDeleteQuestion #1
Working outside of my comfort zone is something I thoroughly enjoy. I have never been the type to shy away from something new. In contrast to this, I believe this has fueled me to look beyond the immediate and into the future. Each milestone in my life brought new challenges; as I continued, my perspective got wider, and my depth of knowledge grew deeper.
That is true about you Steve. You don’t shy away from much. I think it goes with your personality to know its a time to learn. I know that going into it but really don’t want to look stupid. You don’t care and that will always keep you growing and learning.
DeleteQuestion #2
ReplyDeleteI am Active and Goal conscious. Looking at my past, I consistently set benchmarks with attainable goals. Staying active and goal aware allows me to reevaluate where I am in life and where I want to be. It also focuses my energy and attention in a specific direction. These traits have benefited me immensely as each rank has exact concise classes and requirements, allowing me to work toward each step.
Great mindset Steven!!
DeleteLesson 10 Question 1:
ReplyDeleteHow often do you do things that take you out of the comfort zone? What did you learn through the process?
As most of us have read Extreme Ownership a quote from that book that pushes me out of my comfort zone is “Theres no growth in the comfort zone”. This is certainly true the first day you sit in that Captains seat, and pretty much most days in the Captains seat. I try to act as much as possible.
Through getting out my comfort zone I learn I enjoy being challenged. “Application stimulates transformation”. The more practice the better my confidence. “Personal growth increases hope. It teaches us that tomorrow can be better today:.
I agree, Kyle. If you don’t get out of your comfort zone, you will never push yourself to grow. I think you do a great job at stretching yourself and taking on new goals that may be out of your comfort zone.
DeleteThanks Mark
Delete2: Are you naturally more curious and growth oriented or active and goal conscious? How has that helped or hindered you professionally?
ReplyDeleteI would say I am more active and goal conscious. Im better at setting goals and taking the proper steps to get to that goal. Professionally most goals have been accomplished. Some have taken more work than others. There were a lot of lessons learned and perspective changes along the way and lot of growth occurred. I developed a passion and desire to lead as a Company Officer and am striving towards that goal.
Week 5. Lesson 2. Q1.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I would avoid situations like this. In my 30’s I wouldn’t resist getting out of my comfort zone as much. Now, although I don’t go looking for ways, I am more accustomed to this due to many opportunities being afforded me through the fire service and church volunteer service. I'm less resistant because I know myself more. With that I’m more confident in my strengths and more confident in knowing my weaknesses. This process stretched me, made me more confident but also made me less afraid/embarrassed of having weaknesses.
I have had quite a few what I thought were weaknesses become strengths by putting myself out there. Some of which I would have never realized had I not stepped out of my comfort zone.
DeleteI agree, the confidence you gain from stepping out of your comfort zone and not being afraid or embarrassed of showing a weakness only helps you grow and deal with situations that are out of your control. Stretch your self, challenge what you think are your limitations. like both of you said the confidence you gain and the new found abilities are limitless.
DeleteWeek 5. Lesson 2. Q2.
ReplyDeleteI’m naturally curious. That is why I ask so many questions of people. Many times in my asking, people mistake it as challenging. Not curiosity. I would say that I’m growth oriented when I moving towards a goal. Therefore I’m goal conscious when there’s something I’m after. Sometimes my goal consciousness distracts me from the process. The process of growing. My curiosity and being unaware of how I come off to people has definitely hindered me professionally. As described in earlier lessons, my ignorance of how people perceived me allowed a persona to exist that was contrary to who I was, and wanted to be. What can you do to correct something you’re unaware of? If you walk out of the restroom with your zipper down, or toilet paper stuck to your shoe, everyone else will know IMMEDIATELY. You’ll only know if you’re told or you cue into peoples reactions.
Question #2 – As I have matured, I have become more curious and growth oriented. I find that I strive to learn new things and try new experiences. It has created momentum in my life and has encouraged me to grow even more. My attitude, my perspective, about failing has changed along the way. I am no longer afraid to fail. Because I know that I will learn from it, and I will be better because of it. It has definitely helped me professionally because I have been able to grow and learn from each new experience.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Mike. A mentor of my once said, "you win some, you learn some." When faced with failures I reflect back on that quote. I still cringe at the thought of failing but realize that there are lessons to be learned either way. Our greatest lessons often follow our failures.
DeleteI like that Bobby. That’s a good outlook.
DeleteQuestion #1
ReplyDeleteI think over the past few years I have been more willing to get out of my comfort zone more often. I think a lot of it started a little over 4 years ago, when I was getting ready to come back to work following my 1st blood clot. I asked BC Ault how could I best prepare for a Captains test that would be couple years away. His response was, “why not take the test that is coming up in a couple months?” Knowing that I had not taken any classes or opened a task book, this caught me off guard. “What is the worst that can happen, you don’t pass? If you’re not afraid of failure, I promise you will learn and grow from the challenge”. I took this to heart and he was right. The willingness to put yourself out there and take a step out of your comfort zone is difficult but rewarding. I felt that challenge helped build a confidence in myself that it was ok to be “uncomfortable being uncomfortable”. I also take each year, with the bid and station assignment as an opportunity to get outside my comfort zone to try different areas/stations and to work with different members. That change each year can be good and also help us grow.
I agree with you. Taking the last test, even though I did not pass, helped out. I had to embrace my failure to learn and excel from it. Thanks for always being optimistic, Travis
DeleteMark, a few years back I started listening to Jocko Willinks podcast and I came across an except of his titled "GOOD". I think this change my thought process and outlook all that is thrown my way. If you haven't heard it, its pretty darn "GOOD"
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTMDpizis8
Travis I can definitely relate to this post. My journey leading up to my first captains exam was very similar. I learned a lot in preparation for that exam but it sparked additional growth that has continued ever since. Great post!
DeleteNever easy to put ourselves out there to be judged by our peers. Takes courage and I admire you for that.
DeleteQuestion #2
ReplyDeleteAre you naturally more curious and growth oriented or active and goal conscious? Looking back over the past couple of years I would have to say I am more active and goal oriented. I say this because I had to. I had to set goals for myself because once I hit them, I knew no matter how big or small they were, they were accomplishments. These small goals I set for myself made for small wins which added up to huge victories. Some goals I set for myself were getting through my 1st week of radiation treatment. WIN! Finishing my 30th treatment, huge VICTORY! Goal of returning to work, accomplished. There were many more goals I set for myself along the way that I won’t bore you with, but what they did was help me stay focused and stay on course. These were personal goals but professionally I like to set goals as well. For me setting goals and working to accomplish them create a drive inside me and motivates me to accomplish them. I also believe that in setting these goals and working through them develop and help you grow. Once these goals are accomplished it does change you for the better and makes you want to pursue more. These victories and accomplishments give me the attitude that there is more I can do. So yes, I am naturally goal conscious but I am also growth oriented.
I appreciate you not giving up! I don't know what it was like for you each day, but I'm glad you fought. I'm glad you won. I'm glad you're back to work. I'm glad your family has you. You are an example of fortitude Travis.
DeleteI second what Arnie said. I am incredibly happy for your success going through an incredibly difficult time in your life. We are glad you are here to continue and thrive Travis!
DeleteI am appreciative and thankful for you all. I've said it before and I will continue to say it. Its amazing what you can accomplish with the support of friends, family, community. Don't be afraid to ask for help and lean on them when you need to. For that I am thankful to have you all.
DeleteQuestion 2
ReplyDeleteI am naturally more active and goal conscious. The fortunate thing about being this way is through the journey of reaching goals, growth occurs simultaneously. What I’ve realized during this chapter is that while I may be active and goal conscious, I also maintain a growth conscious mindset. I do believe in lifelong growth and the continued pursuit of goals. I am wired to continue forward, both personally and professionally. It is rare that I find myself content with the status quo and frequently seek to improve. I believe this has served me well in both realms of my life and I will continue on that path. After going through this book, I also intend to focus more time on personal growth. I will seek out methods and people that help me stretch as this journey continues.
Good points, Travis. I think this reading assignment has had a positive impact on all of us.
DeleteWeek 5, Lesson #10
ReplyDeleteQuestion #1
Over the past five years I have operated outside of my comfort zone so frequently that it has become the new normal. In my personal life changes such as my marriage, the birth of our son, the purchase of a new home, continuing my education, and assisting my wife with accomplishing her goal of a masters degree as a nurse partitioner have all taken me outside of my comfort zone. My professional life has seemed the same way with promotional exam after promotional exam and multiple out county assignments. Regularly operating outside of my comfort zone has taught me how much I didn’t know, as well as provided me with a level of growth I could have never imagined. I have found that if I take a step back and stay within my comfort zone I quickly become bored.
Week 5, Lesson #10
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Throughout my career I would say I’ve bounced back and forth between the two. The last five years or so I would say I tend to be more active and goal conscious. I remember being asked early in my career, where do you see yourself in 5,10, or 15 years? A few years ago I realized those bench marks in my career and arrived and I had not yet accomplished the goals I set out to accomplish. This prompted me to become more active and I began to pursue my goals more aggressively. As I reflect back on that question I answered early in my career it has helped me professionally as I prepare for the challenges ahead with this new position.
ReplyDeleteA more recent example of being taken out of my "comfort zone" was after my divorce. I was with my ex- wife for 10 years I had that partnership and comfort of having that spouse in my life. I was now not only divorced but, also had 2 young kids. I was way out of what was my comfort zone. I have learned so much about myself and my ability to face adversity. My comfort zone was at home with my family and now it is a completely different comfort zone. I know that the "new" comfort zone is a work in progress with its own challenges. I have never been one to shy away from a challenge and like the quote says"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have".
Question #2- Are you naturally more curious and growth oriented or active and goal conscious? How has that helped or hindered you professionally?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely more recently in my life i have become more curious and growth oriented. When I was younger and starting out my pursuit of the fire service I 100% was more active and goal conscious. As I have gained some life experience I have focused more on growth and focused more on areas in my life that I did not spend much time on when I was younger. Growth helps me in continuing to pursue my goals but puts these goals into perspective and allows me to prioritize them differently.
Joel I agree, as we get older our perspective on live changes and our focus shifts to different areas. Because of this evolutions of change we are able to grow and your right because of that we can prioritize our goals better.
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ReplyDeleteQuestion #1- How often do you do things that take you out of your comfort zone? What did you learn through that process? I would say that I am someone who likes being out of my comfort zone. I had an old mentor that would always say "get comfortable being uncomfortable" and I have taken that to heart looking for new areas to branch out and grow.
Question #2- Are you naturally more curious and growth-oriented or active and goal conscious? How has that helped or hindered you professionally? I see myself as an active and goal-conscious individual. Having a systematic approach with benchmarks to achieve has helped me stay focused and motivated.