2020 Wildland Fire National Leadership Campaign - Do You Know Who You Are?

2020 campaign banner - Do you know who you are

Theme:

The theme for the 2020 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign is “Command Presence: Do you know who you are?”

Task:

The campaign is an opportunity for personnel at the local level - whether collectively or through self-development - to focus on leadership development activities relating to the national campaign theme.

Purpose:

To promote leadership development across the wildland fire community disciplines.
To provide an opportunity and resources that can be used for leadership development at the local unit level.
To collect innovative leadership development efforts and share those efforts across the community.

End State:

A culture that creates and shares innovative leadership development efforts in order to maintain superior leadership in the fire community.

Dates of Campaign:

Any time between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.

Audience:

All wildland fire personnel - line-going and support.

Implementation:

The campaign is flexible. Local units or teams may use or adapt any or all materials found on this website or posted on our social media platforms or develop a program or activity of your own spotlighting the campaign theme. Campaign coordinators are encouraged to craft the campaign to the needs of the local unit and team. Innovation should fuel your campaign delivery: workshops or tailgate sessions, to kick off staff meetings, as a team activity or self-directed, etc.

2020 Campaign Activities

⇒ Challenges 1-10

Challenge #1

In your leadership journal, define “command presence.”

Watch James Scouller’s “What is presence?” video.

Time: 8:43

Challenge #2

Read Leading in the WIldland Fire Service, PMS 494-2.
In your journal, make special notes with regard to command presence.

Challenge #3

Responding with "deliberate calm" is important during an emergency.

Read "Command Presence – Leadership in Emergencies” by Timothy Cummings.

Challenge #4

Select a leader to monitor for a week.

In your journal, make note of things that add to or detract from his/her command presence.
- Avoid the temptation to observe only detractions.

Challenge #5

Read “Three Questions That Will Improve Your Execute Presence” by Kathy Caprino.
- Respond to the three questions in your journal.

Challenge #6

Leaders are readers.

Read Amy Cuddy’s book “Presence."
- Download the discussion guide and host a group discussion.
Take notes in your journal.

Challenge #7

Leaders with good command presence are calm and collected during stressful situations.

Research the concept of mindfulness.
Watch Daniel Goleman videos or read his books/articles on the subject.
Take notes in your journal.

Challenge #8

Command presence is deeper than charisma.

Watch James Scouller speak on the topic:
Take notes in your journal.

Challenge #9

Appearance affects command presence to a degree.

Read “Command Presence - Beyond the Physical Attributes” on our blog.
In your journal, answer Carol Kinsey-Goman’s "Ten Questions to Power Up Your Leadership Presence that are shared in the blog.

Challenge #10

Leaders with effective command presence are prepared and stay calm during chaos.

Ensure each team member’s contact information is up to date and readily available.
Conduct a pre-mortem drill to ensure notification processes work quickly and efficiently.

⇒ Challenges 11-20

Challenge #11

Self-awareness is a critical and powerful first step in developing command presence.

Take the time to determine what you want your presence to convey.
Use your journal as a place to capture your thoughts.

(Adapted from The Power of Presence by Kristi Hedges)

Challenge #12

Leaders with effective command presence show empathy.

Watch RSA’s adaptation of Brene Brown’s talk on empathy.

Time: 2:53
In your journal, write the definitions of "sympathy" and "empathy." Describe cases when each is appropriate.
How can you practice empathy with regard to the present COVID-19 pandemic?

Challenge #13

Effective leaders are willing to address negative thoughts that may be affecting their leadership.

In your journal, list your negative self-talk.
Develop a plan to address each barrier.

Challenge #14

Effective leaders know themselves and their team.

As an individual and with your team, complete the “Values Exploration” exercise found on our blog.
Write your values in your journal.
Post team values where all have access.

Challenge #15

Teams know when their leader is authentic.

Review 2019 WFLDP campaign challenges to learn more about leading with authenticity.

Page Last Modified / Reviewed:

2020-03-20