Leadership Blog V2.0 Episode 6, Bastogne

 Bastogne

In this episode, we follow along with Eugene "Doc" Roe, Easy Company's medic.  The 506th PIR is surrounded in the Ardennes Forest, in what is know as the Battle of the Bulge.  Throughout the fighting, Doc is constantly on the move, treating the wounded, gathering supplies, and caring for the troops.  Even though Doc isn't a leader by rank, he shows us in very real terms that:

Leaders Serve Others Before Self

You have likely heard the term "Servant Leader."  This concept can be interpreted many different ways.  Many misinterpret this concept as weakness, or that a servant leader spends all of their time trying to make everyone happy...that is not the case.  Doc doesn't attempt to make everyone happy, but he certainly works hard to serve.

Discussion questions to consider...

• What does the term "Servant Leader" mean to you?
• What are the qualities that effective leaders possess?
• How have you been "served" by leaders?
• In what ways do you intend to serve others as a leader?

Leadership Blog V2.0 Episode 5, Crossroads

 

Crossroads

This episode opens with Captain Winters doing what great leaders do...leading from the front.   Winters is promoted to the role of Executive Officer for the battalion, and the rest of the episode follows him as he transitions from a field tactician to an executive officer.  As part of that process, he must learn to let go...to let go of the direct leadership style he is used to and learn how to operate in a new role.  This transition demonstrates to us that:

Leaders Must Adapt

One thing that has proven to be true time and time again...change is a big part of growth.  Ask anyone in the fire service that has promoted to any position; they will all say...things change.  Responsibilities change. Roles change. Perspectives change. In fact...if your perspective doesn't change, some may say that you aren't growing or learning anything new.  As an example, if you are looking for the captain on the fire-ground and you find them on the nozzle...there is a problem!

Discussion questions to consider...

• How has your perspective changed over the course of your career?
• In what ways may a company officer's perspective be different than a firefighter's?
• How can leaders stay connected when they transition to new roles?
• In what ways have you had to adapt in your career, and how have you managed change?

Leadership Blog V2.0 Episode 4, Replacements

 Replacements

In our last post, we discussed the value of courage, and what courageous leadership may look like.  Today's episode takes us to Holland with Easy Co, as they jump into Operation Market Garden.

Leadership takes on many forms, and is not dependent on rank.  This episode follows along with one of the NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) Sargent Denver "Bull" Randleman.  As the "replacements" join with Easy Co. in the episode, Bull gives us an example of what a mentor looks like.

Leaders are Mentors

Like the other terms we have discussed so far, if you google "mentor" you will find many different definitions.  More importantly...what does it mean to you?  As you learn and grow in your skills as a leader, consider the following:

Discussion questions to consider...

• What does it mean to you to be a mentor?
• Have you had mentors in your life?
• Have you been or are you currently a mentor to someone?
• What does and "ideal" fire service mentor look like?

Leadership Blog V2.0 Episode 3, Carentan

 Carentan

Last week we discussed what a leader looks like, with Lt. Winters as the primary focus.  We observed how the values of Faithfulness, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence are important for a leader to develop and act out in their daily life.  In this episode, we will discuss another important quality/value/characteristic of leadership; Courage.  Which of course raises the question:

What does Courage Look Like?

In this episode, pay close attention to not only Lt. Winters, but also to the soldiers serving with him.  Remember that leadership can occur in any rank and courage takes on many forms.  Pay attention to the journey of Private Blithe and his interactions with Winters and the other soldiers.  Is courage something you are born with...or is it something you develop or earn?

Discussion questions to consider...

• What does courage look like to you?
• In what ways must a leader be courageous?
• What is the relationship between courage and fear?
• Should leaders show fear?

Leadership Blog V2.0 Episode 2, Day of Days

 Day of Days

In our last discussion, we compared the actions of two leaders in an effort to answer the question "What does leadership look like?".  In this episode, we will focus on one of those leaders, Lt. Richard "Dick" Winters.  As Easy Company makes the "jump" into Normandy, France, the story follows along with Winters and several members of Easy.  In the early morning hours, Winters demonstrates TIER leadership.  He gathers up several soldiers and Takes Initiative and Engages.  When he has the first opportunity, he also Reports his actions.  In other words, he begins to show us answers to the question:

What Does a Leader Look Like?

How would you describe the characteristics of a good leader?  Depending on the book you read, you will find a long list of character or behavior traits.  As it has been said, "You don't need an interpreter to understand someone's character."  So what kind of leader do you want to be?  How do you determine which character traits are important to develop?  If you are part of an organization like Chino Valley Fire, it can be helpful to align you Personal Values with the Organizational Values:

Faithfulness    Integrity    Respect    Excellence

As you watch this episode, pay careful attention to how Winters behaves, as actions speak much louder than words.  Consider the following:

Discussion questions to consider...

• How does Winters demonstrate FAITHFULNESS?
• How does Winters demonstrate INTEGRITY?
• How does Winters demonstrate RESPECT?
• How does Winters demonstrate EXCELLENCE?

Leadership Blog V2.0 Episode 1, Currahee

 Currahee!

If you search the internet or read any books on the subject, you will likely find many answers.  These answers will likely include catchy phrases about getting other people to do something, or having influence on others, etc.  

As we begin our discussion about leadership, I encourage you to ask yourself the question...

What does "Leadership" look like?

We have all experienced many forms of leadership throughout our life and career.  As we watch Episode 1, Currahee, pay close attention to the styles demonstrated by Dick Winters (played by Damian Lewis) and Herbert Sobel (played by Ross from Friends, AKA David Schwimmer).

Discussion questions to consider...

• How would you describe the leadership style of Sobel vs. Winters?  
• What are the positive attributes or results from each of these styles?
• Which leader would you rather follow?
• What kind of leader do you want to be...and why?

Deeper Dive...

While performing exercises in the field, Sobel fails repeatedly in the technical application of leadership.  Specifically, he gets his people lost and "killed" in multiple drills.  His technical abilities, or lack thereof, results in the loss of confidence of his subordinates.  This  results in the NCOs' (sergeants) votes of no confidence, and ultimately the reassignment of Sobel.

• How important is it for a leader to technically competent?
• In what other areas must an effective leader be "competent?"
• Do you have to be the person "in charge" to be a leader?
• What did the NCOs risk by taking the action they did?

Let the conversations begin!  Please share your thoughts in the blog....

Leadership Blog V2.0

 Band of Brothers (and Sisters!)

For our next installment in this leadership blog, we thought it would be a great idea to "mix it up" and use a video based study, rather than a book.

Crazy to think that I (Jeremy) remember watching this series while working at station 63 and now realizing that was 20 years ago in 2001... I know... old guy :-)

For those of you that don't know, HBO released a 10 part miniseries in 2001 that was produced by Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg called "Band of Brothers."  The miniseries was based on a book by the same title written by Stephen E. Ambrose that chronicled the story of "E" Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in WWII.

We invite you to join us as we work through a study of leadership concepts, based on the content of the video series.  

Here is how it will work:

• Find the series on HBO (available On-Demand, HBO-Max, etc.)
• You can participate as an individual, as a crew, as a group....whatever!
• Every Monday, we will post the intro to each episode with some points/questions to consider...
• Watch the episode when you can...
• After that... post answers to the questions on the blog and hopefully start some great conversations!

We will begin next week, so get your popcorn ready!

Leadership 2.0: "Flywheel Effect" aka "The Mighty Mo!"

 

"The Flywheel Effect"

Have you ever heard of a flywheel?  Maybe you have have seen one like this...

or this...

If you have ever ridden the stationary bike in the station gym, then you know that once you get the flywheel moving, it only takes a little bit of energy to keep it that way...

That is the the power of the Mighty Mo...or momentum.  We want to keep the momentum going for this leadership discussion.  

Stay tuned...MORE TO COME SOON!!!!!  

Week 5, Lesson #9 - The Price Tag of Leadership: Self-Discipline

 Lesson #9 - The Price Tag of Leadership: Self-Discipline

Question #1- What positive habits of discipline do you currently practice? How did you develop them? 

Question #2- Based on what you've learned, how do you need to change? What can you do this week to grow in the area of self discipline?

                                         “If you wouldn't follow yourself, why should anyone else?”
                                                           ― John C. Maxwell

Answer the two questions and reply to posts by others 

Week 5, Lesson #10 - The Expansion of Leadership: Personal Growth

 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? 

          

           “Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission.”

                                                          - Zig Ziglar

                        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!