Challenges: 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.

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 "Presence versus Charisma".

• 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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
  • 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.

• Read "The Infinite Game".

Challenge #37

Effective leaders are great storytellers.

• Read our blog “Leadership is in the Story.”
• 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.”
• 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.

Challenge #41

All leaders are human.

• Think of a time when as a leader you felt inadequate.
• Journalize about the following:
  • What were/are your thoughts?
  • Were/Are those thoughts valid?
  • What would an alternate thought be?

Challenge #42

Good leaders promote building confidence in themselves and those they lead.

• Recognize and celebrate your successes and the successes of others.
• Journalize about your successes and the attributes, skills and actions that contributed to your achievements.

Challenge #43

Effective leaders are resilient.

• Watch “What is Resilience.”

• In your journal, define “resilience.”
• Refer to the 2014 campaign for tools.

Challenge #44

Effective leaders challenge themselves and others.

• Seek out something challenging—a project, new skill or hobby, tough read, workout, etc.—for you and your people.
• Journalize about your journey.

Challenge #45

Good leaders acknowledge their biases and work to eliminate them.

• Watch “12 Cognitive Biases Explained.”

• Reflect on your biases in your journal. Devise a plan to address your biases.

Challenge #46

Effective leaders build the team.

• In your journal, write down what you are doing to prepare the next generation of leaders to replace you.
• Commit to implementing or continuing your plan of action.

Challenge #47

Effective leaders promote self-care.

• Watch Sarri Gilman’s TedTalk.

• In your journal, write down areas where you need to set boundaries.
• Develop a plan for self-care for self and others.

Challenge #48

Confident leaders own their shortcomings.

• Make a vow to own your mistakes and apologize to those affected.
• In your journal, write down those times when you were wrong and failed to admit it. Consider apologizing.

Challenge #49

Effective leaders set and respect boundaries.

• Assess your ability to set boundaries.
• Read “Boundaries – When to Say Yes When to Say No to Take Control of Your Life” by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.

Challenge #50

Effective leaders take care of themselves.

• Assess your self-compassion.
• Develop a self-compassion plan in your journal
• Implement the plan.

Challenge #51

Effective leaders take time to reflect.

• Take a critical look at yourself/your leadership
  • Does your perception of you match that of those you lead?
  • Are you a better leader now than you were 12 months ago?
  • Develop a plan for continued improvement.