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

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.

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.

Challenge #16

Effective leaders know their strengths and how to use them.

• Take the VIA Institute on Character’s free strength survey. (https://www.viacharacter.org/).
• Write your strengths in your journal; list ways you can use your strengths to build your command presence.

Challenge #17

Effective leaders are artful in perspective taking.

• Watch Daniel Pink speak on attunement @ https://youtu.be/TP81PQ0vlaI
  
  Time: 2:54.
• In your journal, write the definitions of “introvert,” “extrovert,” and “ambivert.” Which fits you best and how you can better the art of perspective taking?

Challenge #18

Effective leaders are about "we” not "me."

• Create a psychological safe environment for your followers.
• Read Amy Edmondson’s book “The Fearless Organization – Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth.”

Challenge #19

Effective leaders are transparent and encourage follower input.

• Assess a current situation.
• Do you have a written plan for the situation?
• Ensure your followers understand the plan and provide input.
• Revise the plan as needed.

Challenge #20

Effective leaders know how to respond to a crisis.

• Read "High Performance in Emergency Preparedness and Response: Disaster Type Differences" by H. Leonard and A. Howitt.
• Journalize how command presence varies with disaster type.

Challenge #21

Building trust is key in effective leadership.

• Watch Kerwin Rae discuss calm assertiveness. (https://youtu.be/dxFhoSAyxAU)
  
  Time: 3:29.
• Practice using calm assertiveness to build trust. Journalize about your effort.

Challenge #22

Leaders with good command presence take responsibility for their actions.

• Watch Governor Cuomo respond to closing businesses during the pandemic. (https://youtu.be/f2Tqfn3YV2E)
  
  Time: 2:31
• In your journal: Am I taking responsibility for my actions and decisions?

Challenge #23

Effective leaders know who they are.

• In your journal, list your roles and your goals.
• From your roles and goals, construct a personal mission statement.
• Post your mission statement where you will see it.

Challenge #24

Confident leaders embrace hard conversations.

• Read "Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most" by Stone, Patton, & Heen.
• In your journal, note the techniques you would like to try; leave space to reflect on how they worked.

Challenge #25

Effective leaders lead by example.

• In your journal, respond to the following questions:
  • What can I do to make myself better?
  • What can I do to make my team better?

Challenge #26

Good leaders know themselves and seek improvement.

• Seek critical feedback from someone you trust—mentor, coach, or trusted advisor.
• Participate in a 360-degree feedback survey.
• In your journal, devise a plan to address your weaknesses.

Challenge #27

Honesty is a necessary element of good command presence.

• Self-reflect upon your ability for blunt honesty.
• In your journal, pick one item that you would like to change about yourself; leave room to track your progress.

Challenge #28

Effective leaders choose to lead by example.

• Reflect in your journal about why you have chosen to lead.
• How do you plan to positively impact yourself and those around you?

Challenge #29

Exposing negative self-talk helps a leader move beyond these issues.

• Journalize your perspective of command presence and your ability to affect it.
• Identify areas of negative self-talk and work with a trusted ally to address these areas.

Challenge #30

Fire leaders never stop learning.

• Familiarize yourself with the WFLDP Toolbox (www.fireleadership.gov).
  • Professional Reading Program.
  • Leadership Media.
• Journalize how you have utilized these two tools in the past and how you can utilize them moving forward.

Challenge #31

Fire leaders seek knowledge from other leaders.

• Journalize your perception of or facts you know about Nelson Mandela.
• If you are not familiar, conduct research and write a summary about him in your journal.

Challenge #32

Effective leaders learn from others.

• Watch the movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
• Journalize where you see examples of command presence.
• Note what you most admire about a leader you respect when they are leading through adversity in a positive way.

Challenge #33

Effective leaders are good communicators.

• Read the book Mandela’s Way.
• Journalize how Nelson Mandela exhibited command presence and led through adversity.
• Journalize about which chapter stood out to you the most.

Challenge #34

Effective leaders share their knowledge.

• Reflect upon Nelson Mandela’s legacy using your notes, the movie, and the book.
• Develop a command presence discussion guide and share it with your team.
• Journal your success/challenges.

Challenge #35

Effective leaders build the team.

• Share your lesson plans/ideas with the WFLDP.
• Suggest a book or video for the Professional Reading Program and Leadership in Media.
• Write a blog on your experience or submit a post/tweet for the WFLDP Facebook/Twitter.

Challenge #36

Effective leaders embrace an infinite mindset.

• Watch Inc.’s interview with Simon Sinek. (https://youtu.be/uhZdbL-ekW8)
  
  Time 58:57
• Read "The Infinite Game".

Challenge #37

Effective leaders are great storytellers.

• Read our blog “Leadership is in the Story.” (https://wildlandfireleadership.blogspot.com/2012/10/leadership-is-in-story.html)
• Select a storytelling technique that you would like to enhance. Journalize your process.

Challenge #38

A leader's command presence is highlighted during times of crisis.

• Select one leader who currently exhibits good command presence and one who does not.
• Journalize the characteristics shown by the leaders. Select one positive aspect you would like to follow.

Challenge #39

Effective leaders are good communicators.

• Read Braja Deepon Roy’s blog “Active Listening and Its Importance in the Workplace.” (https://blog.vantagecircle.com/active-listening/)
• Write the tips in your journal. Develop a plan to increase your active listening skills.

Challenge #40

Effective leaders spend time with their people.

• Estimate how much time you spend, both digitally and face-to-face with your people.
• Vow to make face-to-face time with your people a priority.