Fire service leadership constructs
Below you will find tenets of leadership divided into sections: a leadership overview, attributes of leaders, levels of leadership, conditions of leadership, and finally the desired outcomes of quality leadership.
· You are responsible for what you crew does or fails to do.
· Leaders inspire and influence people to accomplish the organizational goals.
· Leaders motivate people inside and outside the chain of command to pursue actions, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the greater good of the organization.
· Leading is the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.
Attributes of a leader
Character
· Empathy
· Service ethos
· Discipline
Presence
· Professional Bearing
· Fitness
· Confidence
· Resilience
Intellect
· Mental agility
· Sound Judgment
· Innovation
· Interpersonal tact
· Expertise
Leads
· Leads others
· Builds trust
· Extends influence beyond the chain of command
· Leads by example
· Communicates
Develops
· Creates a positive environment
· Prepares self
· Develops others
· Stewards the profession
Achieves
· Gets results
Levels of leadership
· Direct — refines ability to apply competencies at a professional level
· Organizational — apply competencies to increasingly complex situations
· Situational — actions adjusted to complex uncertain environments
Conditions of leadership
· Formal — designated by rank or position
· Informal — take initiate and apply special expertise when appropriate
· Collective — synergistic effects achieved with multiple leaders aligned by purpose
Desired outcome
· Sound decisions
· Expertly lead organizations
· Stewardship of resources
· Stronger families
· Fit crews
· Healthy working conditions
· Engaged firefighters and civilians
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