Leadership Development — YOU have a Job to Do
part 2
Leadership Development — YOU have a Job to Do
This is the second segment in a three part series that explores leadership development in the fire service. In the first post we learned that current leaders in the fire service are concerned about the future leadership in the fire service. We examined leadership according to the experts and looked at some of the countless definitions available on leadership. We glanced into the characteristics, qualities, and traits various experts in the field believe are needed to be a leader.
Although we were unable to nail down an exact definition of leadership, in the second segment of the series we will continue down our journey and explore the leadership industry and some options available to address the “leadership vacuum” within the fire service.
Need to learn leadership skills?
Need to learn leadership skills? Lets look at a few options available for those willing individuals who are thirsty to learn the skills to lead effectively.
We could always read a book. There is no shortage of available literature on leadership. (Usually, available for purchase) A keyword search on Amazon.com reveals an overwhelming 125,969 available books on leadership. There is Lincoln on Leadership, Patton on Leadership, Wooden on Leadership, and Eisenhower on Leadership. Not a fan of Lincoln, Patton, Wooden or Eisenhower. Well, no worries — Harvard Business Review has a book entitled HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Leadership. Still not satisfied. You can find the book 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and twelve other best selling leadership books by John Maxwell on his website at: http://www.johnmaxwell.com/resources/books/.
Not confident in choosing a book. Don’t be concerned, many people are happy to provide you with their own list of leadership must reads. Here are a few:
- http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/leadership
- http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/15-best-leadership-books-every-young-leader-needs-read.html
- http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2013/12/17/leadership-books-to-put-under-the-tree/
Don’t worry if your not an avid reader, there are also plenty of leadership courses, conferences, and programs to attend. The leadership industry offers plenty of ideas and theories neatly packaged into various courses, programs, and conferences. (Usually available for purchase)
But does the leadership industry provide the answer to our leadership development woes? Some leadership experts don’t think so. Barbara Kellerman’s book entitled “The End of Leadership” highlights the gap between the leadership education and the practice of leadership. Interestingly, what makes Barbara Kellerman’s argument so powerful is that she makes her living in the leadership industry.
I think most of us in the fire service would agree that much of the knowledge, skills and abilities required of the job are learned through experience and it is difficult to learn or even communicate these things through classroom lectures and PowerPoint presentations.
At this point it might be helpful to consider what the end goal is that we hope to achieve. At its core, our goal is develop leaders that possess not only the knowledge and skills to be effective, but also the values, attitude, culture, and those “important things” that are not so easily codified by written text. In short, our goal is to pass on those things that matter.
Who is responsible for this task? The answer to this question is one area I think we miss the target. Don’t confuse leadership with rank and titles.
You might think that because I set atop of the enlisted rank structure within my Army National Guard unit that I would argue that because I am the First Sergeant that I am a leader. After all — I am the senior enlisted advisor for the unit and responsible for the leadership and professional development of the Soldiers within the unit. Although, I do believe rank provides me with leadership opportunities, I don’t believe the rank makes me a leader.
I lead only because the Soldiers chose to follow me. Yes—the rank allows me to tell someone what to do, but its influence that truly allows me to affect the future generations. True leaders lead through everyday actions. True leaders realize that everyday actions influences and impacts the future generation of leaders.
As John Maxwell said:
“Leadership is influence, nothing more nothing less”
Leadership is not a rank. Leadership is not a title. Leadership is not a position. Leadership is a behavior. Regardless of your rank, regardless of your title, regardless of your position, YOU have the ability to influence the future generation of fire service leaders.
So, where will the next Fire Chief or fire service leader come from? Why is the answer to this question so important? I will refer you to the third segment of this series on leadership development in the fire service.
