5 Leadership Tips From A Man With A Beard

Cover Photo by Joseph D.R. OLeary and his series entitled “Of Beards and Men.”

By Marty Skovlund, Jr.

from http://rhinoden.rangerup.com/5-leadership-tips-from-a-man-with-a-beard/

Due to the comments on the American (lack of) strategy for dealing with ISIS the other day, there has been a flurry of activity on the news as well as social media questioning our government’s ability to handle foreign policy and national defense responsibilities. I couldn’t help but be instantly reminded of leadership lessons that I learned while serving in the Army, and how many in our nations leadership – whether they be Congressmen, Generals, or the Executive Branch – seem to not know or just willfully ignore some or all of these fairly simple leadership tenets. I don’t know if they have time in their schedule to step away from their spa treatments, golf outings, or partisan arguments to read these five simple leadership strategies, but I hope they do. It should be noted that I am not an executive leadership strategist, life coach, or Obi Wan Kenobi – I am just a guy with a beard on his face and a coffee (black) in his hand relaying to you what I was taught once upon a time:

When in charge, be in charge. It doesn’t matter what your position is, what your experience is, the rank on your chest or the certificates on your wall – if you are put in charge of something you damn well better take charge. Don’t try to please everyone (there are always going to be critics), and sure as hell don’t jerk the proverbial car off the road just because you had to take the wheel. It doesn’t matter who you are put in charge of, if they are actually better suited for the position than you, or how prepared you are for the task(s) at hand. A good leader doesn’t let those things deter him or her, because leadership skills are transferable to any situation or mission.

Quote of the Day

"Those people that are mediocre are not your brother. They are in the way."

Aaron Fields

Looking out for your guys

Posted by Jarrod Sergi 

from www.fireengineering.com

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase, “they look out for their guys”? I have heard it on several occasions and it has often made me wonder, what the true meaning of these words is. I have had conversations with fellow firefighters and it typically is directed at the company officer. Sometimes the conversation consists of firefighters being in trouble and things being swept under the rug. Sometimes, there is talk of things that are going on around the station that are unprofessional and an officer steps in and shields their people from any disciplinary action. Then sometimes, it is used a justification for a poor company officer neglecting responsibility and placing it on others. “He doesn’t do any training with us, but he looks out for his guys”. She doesn’t really do anything around the station, but she really looks out for her guys”. Are you or your officer truly looking out for the guys?

So I ask you, what does it mean when you say, I look out for my guys? I can tell you what it means to me. As a supervisor in the military I held that phrase very close to my heart; I do in my fire service career as well. To me it means holding them accountable. As the company officer it is my responsibility to make sure that my firefighters take ownership in everything that they do. Right or wrong we own what we do and if needed, corrective action takes place. To me it means making sure my firefighters are fully prepared for battle on the fire ground. I tell myself every day that my job as the company officer is to train my firefighters to think sharp and make smart tactical decisions in the absence of policy or clear direction. It is my duty to ensure that they provide the best patient care possible, and when they or I fall short, we hold ourselves accountable. It is my job as the company officer to ensure that I mentor my firefighters professionally to ensure they have the ability to go as far as the organization will allow them to go. I believe strongly in looking out for my guys; looking out for them in the right way. Allowing bad patient care to go uncorrected is not looking out for your guys; allowing a poor uniform appearance is not looking out for your guys; failure to mentor or coach is not looking out for your guys; and not training or preparing your firefighters every day to work in this dangerous environment is absolutely not looking out for your guys.

So the next time you hear someone say this phrase, really think about why they are saying it. Ensure it is said with meaning behind it and not just empty words. If you are saying it, mean it, and for the right reasons. As company officers truly do the best you can every day to look out for your guys. Mentor them, teach them, back them up and support them. Do everything you can to help prepare them to act in your absence, and truly, “look out for your guys”.

Unselfishness

• Posted by William Knight on September 16, 2014 at 2:50pm
• from www.fireengineering.com
• 
  

This is the beginning of a series on fire service leadership traits.  I'll be borrowing heavily from the Marine Corps Leadership Traits and Principles, because they have direct application to our mission and purpose.  I have never been in the military, but I was enrolled in Marine Corps Junior ROTC in high school.  On my transcripts, the official name of the class was listed as Leadership Education.  It was in MCJROTC that I first encountered the 14 Leadership Traits and 11 Leadership Principles that the USMC uses to instill a strong foundation in its Marines.  Likewise, we can use these lists as a guide for how we in the fire service should be living and leading. 

It's hard to pick a starting point for a series on leadership when there are 25 different traits and principles from which to choose.  They are all important, but I chose unselfishness for this first article because I believe it to be THE most important trait that any fireman should have.  If one has attained unselfishness, it is impossible not to have many or most of the other traits on the list.  When it comes down to it, unselfishness is the basis for everything we do.  It is the cornerstone of our foundation.  We exist for others. 

4 Key Lessons from Infantry Squads that Also Apply to Fire Companies

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140915/NEWS/309150028/Here-s-4-key-lessons-all-best-infantry-squads-should-learn

Region 5 Update

The following classes in your county have canceled, due to low enrollment:

·         PICO @ Burton Fire Dept (with 6 students on the roster)

·         Fire Officer I @ Lady’s Island Fire Dept (with 6 students on the roster)

Here is info on the remaining classes in your county:

	Course Name	Course Code/Section Nu.	Hosted by	Dates	Times	Registration Deadline	Direct Registration Link
	Pump Ops I	1220-15-501	Burton Fire Department	9/22-9/26	9am-6pm	This class will go---Cut off has passed/roster is set
	Water Rescue	3350-15-504	Hilton Head Island Fire/Rescue	9/27-9/28	9am-6pm	This class has been changed to in-house training.  This class will go---Cut off has passed/roster is set.  The SCFA had issues staffing the course on these dates. The host department was able to provide one in-house instructor, sufficient for only the number of HHIF&R students on the roster.
	E6 Curriculum Update	4201-15-503	Burton Fire Department	10/23	9am-6pm	10/9	Low Registrations https://fire.llr.sc.gov/FA-OnlineRegistration/registration.aspx?crsidnt=53055
	Leadership I	2171-15-502	Bluffton Fire Department	11/1-11/2	9am-6pm	10/10	Low Registrations https://fire.llr.sc.gov/FA-OnlineRegistration/registration.aspx?crsidnt=53043
	STICO	2119-15-501	Lady’s Island Fire Department	11/18-11/19	9am-6pm	10/28	Low Registrations https://fire.llr.sc.gov/FA-OnlineRegistration/registration.aspx?crsidnt=53044
	DMICO	2121-15-501	Hilton Head Island Fire/Rescue	1/10-1/11	9am-6pm	12/20	Class WILL go https://fire.llr.sc.gov/FA-OnlineRegistration/registration.aspx?crsidnt=53045

Remembering Andy Fredericks

As we reflect on the attacks of 9-11 and pay tribute to the brothers we lost that day, it is important to remember that the best way to honor their sacrifice is to learn from them and to carry on the traditions of the fire service. One of the greatest losses to the fire service that day was Lt. Andrew Fredericks. Andy was a regular author for Fire Engineering magazine and was one of few instructors who stayed grounded in basic fundamental engine company operations during a time when the fire service as a whole was focusing more on RIT and EMS.

Below is the keynote address that Andy gave at FDIC in 2000, not long before he was killed at the World Trade Center.





Below is a link to a collection of Andy's articles:

http://nozzleforwarddotcom1.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/the-book-of-andy-gary-lane.pdf

"Never Forget" means that we learn everything that we can from those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. It means that we never let their death be in vain. It means that we study our job, train, and work hard to carry out our fire service tradition of being the best that we can be when our citizens need us.

9-11 Never Forget

The link below is a documentary narrated by actor and former FDNY firefighter Steve Buscemi about the long-term health effects being suffered by the rescue personnel who worked at ground zero.

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/dust-to-dust/

October Promotional Testing

Anyone who is eligible to test for promotion in October must submit a letter of intent and their requirements booklets with all requirements and JPR’s signed no later than 1700 hours September 26. In addition, personnel testing for Senior Firefighter must submit a resume.

Promotional testing will be held on the following dates:

Firefighter I & II- Monday, October 6

Apprentice Engineer & Engineer- Tuesday, October 7

Senior Firefighter- Wednesday, October 8

The written test will begin promptly at 0900 in the Station 24 training room. All personnel testing must be in their Class C uniform. Personnel must bring at least two black ink pens and a calculator. No other items will be permitted in the training room during testing. The practical application test will be held after lunch and all personnel will need their turnout gear. Unexcused absence, tardiness, cheating, or failure to follow any of the directions in this memo will result in disqualification.

Anyone who is unable to make it to the test dates may request an alternative date prior to the deadline (1700 hours September 26 ). If you have any questions regarding the testing process feel free to call or email me.

Captain Earle