Challenges: 2019 Wildland Fire National Leadership Campaign - The Art of Leadership

Challenge #1

Create a leadership journal to be used throughout the campaign and beyond. We will be using the journal throughout the year!

Challenge #2

Read "The Art of Leadership" for Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, PMS 494-2.

Challenge #3

In your leadership journal, write your definition of "leadership."

Challenge #4

Read Max De Pree's book "Leadership is an Art".

Challenge #5

If you don't have a mentor, seek one or more out. Check out mentor selection tips from mentoring and career expert, Professor Ellen Ensher, Ph.D.

Time: 14:31

Challenge #6

The Art of Leadership: Write down your personal values in your journal.

Challenge #7

The Art of Leadership: In your journal, write down where you see yourself in 1 year, 3 years, and 10 years.

Challenge #8

The Art of Leadership: Read the book "Be, Know, Do" by Eric Shinseki, Frances Hesselbein, and Alan Shrader (editor).

Challenge #9

The Art of Leadership: Spend time with each team member individually.

Challenge #10

Make time in your daily schedule to take care of yourself (read, meditate, walk, etc.).

Challenge #11

Practice active listening. Be fully present during conversations.

Challenge #12

Write what's important to you in your journal. Prioritize your list. Are you committed to upholding your list?

Challenge #13

In your journal, list your weaknesses. Next to each, write how you plan to turn that weakness into a strength.

Challenge #14

Model the emotions you want your team members to display.

Challenge #15

When a team member is not performing to your standard, ask yourself if you've done all you can to help them.

Challenge #16

Be willing to follow should the need or circumstance arise.

Challenge #17

In your journal, ponder the following: Are you a leader who does fire work or are you a firefighter who does leadership?

Challenge #18

Survey your team members. What special gifts do they bring to the organization?

Challenge #19

The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers:

• Are your followers reaching their potential? 
• Are they learning? Serving? 
• Do they achieve the required results? 
• Do they change with grace? Manage conflict?

[Source excerpt:  Max De Pree]

Challenge #20

Identify, develop, and nurture future leaders. Develop a plan of action with each person identified.

Challenge #21

Read Brene Brown's book Dare to Lead.

Challenge #22

Take notes in your journal as you watch Julian Treasure's TEDTalk "How to Speak So People Want to Listen"

Time: 9:58

Practice what you say and how you say it.

Challenge #23

BE • KNOW • DO

Being: You must be ____________. (Fill in the blank and post in your journal.)

Challenge #24

BE • KNOW • DO

Knowing: You must know ____________.  (Fill in the blank and post in your journal.)

Challenge #25

BE • KNOW • DO

Doing: You must act____________.  (Fill in the blank and post in your journal.)

Challenge #26

The next time you experience a failure, think about why you failed instead of who was at fault. Try to look at it objectively so that you can do better next time. Ask yourself:

• What lessons have I learned?
• How can I turn the failure into success?
• Where did I succeed as well as fail?

[Source: EQUIP by John Maxwell]

Challenge #27

Ask questions of your team members to better understand current concerns and opportunities for insight and collaboration.

Challenge #28

Read Chris Widener's book The Art of Influence - Persuading Others Begins With You.

Challenge #29

Take notes in your journal as you watch Dr. Joan Rosenberg's TEDx Talk "Emotional Mastery"

Time: 15:17

Practice the "Rosenberg Reset."

Challenge #30

Think of a leader you admire for his or her humility.

• How does their humility contribute to your admiring him or her?
• What impact does their humility have on your view of them?

[Source: "The Leadership Killer" by Bill Treasurer]

Challenge #31

Conduct a self-assessment by asking yourself and your team the following question:

• Are you training your team to act instead of being told what to do?

Challenge #32

Solicit constructive criticism from others. In your journal, develop a plan to address the feedback.

Challenge #33

Give credit where credit is due. Develop and implement a plan to acknowledge your team members.

Challenge #34

Leaders build teams by keeping team members informed.

• Share information.
• Solicit input.
• Consider suggestions.

[Source: Be • Know • Do by Shinseki & Hesselbein]

Challenge #35

Got problems? “Problems aren’t going to solve themselves—a leader must get aggressive and take action to solve them and implement a solution.”

[Source: Babin & Willink, The Dichotomy of Leadership]

Challenge #36

"Effective speaking is about the unpredictable and uncomfortable art of connection." - Brene Brown, Dare to Lead

• Seek opportunities, preferably outside your comfort zone to expand you speaking skills.
• Volunteer to conduct a debriefing, meeting, etc.

Challenge #37

Being a good leader means deferring to another person's strength.

• List your weaknesses in our journal.
• List your strengths in your journal.
• Next to each weakness and strength identify someone (or more than one person) who can complement you.
• Develop a strategy to engage with the other person.

Challenge #38

Time is one of our most precious assets. For one week, track your time in your journal.

• Where did you spend your time?
• Did you accomplish what you wanted to accomplish?
• Are you wasting precious moments?
• If time management is an issue, develop a plan of action to rescue the resource.

Challenge #39

In your journal, answer the following questions:

• Are you developing leaders in your organization or are you developing bureaucratic, rule-following functionaries?
• What can you do to enhance leadership development?
• What practices can you institute or recommend for increasing trust in your organization?

[Source: "A Year with Peter Drucker" by Joseph A. Maciriello]

Challenge #40

Leaders are lifelong learners. Visit the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program self-development plan website.

• Download the Individual Development Plan Guide.
• Download and complete the appropriate self-development plan worksheet.

Challenge #41

Leaders are communicators. Visit the Wildland Fire Leadership Development self-development plan website.

• Review the information found within the tool.
• Practice preparing leader's intent.
• Practice giving briefings and debriefings.

Challenge #42

Self-leadership and awareness is vital for leadership success.

• Do something kind for yourself daily.
• Record your daily personal acts of kindness in your journal.

Challenge #43

Need help journaling? Check out the blog "How to Keep a Notebook Like Da Vinci."

[Source:  "From the Green Notebook".]

Challenge #44

Social connections are good for our mental health. Self-Care Challenge:

• In your journal, write a one-sentence statement of what you want your social life to be like.
• Make a plan to take positive steps in that direction.

[Source: "The Self-Care Prescription" by Robyn Gobin, Ph.D.]

Challenge #45

Effective leaders know themselves and seek improvement. In your journal, answer the following personal questions: 

• What do you love?
• What do you live by? 
• What do you think is the purpose of life?

[Source: “The MovieGoer” by W. Percy via the Daily Stoic blog]

Challenge #46

Leaders need to be fit for command, addressing body, emotions, mind and spirit. Read Loehr and Schwartz’s HBR article "The Making of a Corporate Athlete".

Challenge #47

Leaders dream big and focus small. 

• Read Gary Keller’s book The One Thing.
• Use your journal to track your “one things” and monitor your performance.

Challenge #48

Effective leaders have the moral courage to do the right thing. 

• In your journal, identify a wrong that you have witnessed. What would you do if you were in this situation?
• Is there a wrong you need to make right? Make the correction, if possible.

Challenge #49

Effective teams share a set of common values.

• Print out the Wildland Fire Values and Principles or https://www.nwcg.gov/wfldp
• Place (or write) a copy in your journal.
• Become familiar with them.
• Share them with your team.

Challenge #50

Effective leaders develop other leaders and share their power as much as possible. 

• Does your organization have a growth mindset? If not, consider implementing it where feasible.
• Who are you grooming to take your position?
• Practice the art of delegation.

Challenge #51

Effective leaders have accountability partners they can turn to for constructive criticism and honest feedback.

• Do you have an accountability person/team? If not, find/form one.
• Check in with your person/team on a regular basis.
• Keep track of your check-ins and progress in your journal.

Challenge #52

Self-care and reflection are vital. Respond to the following in your journal. 

• Are you happy where you’re at?
• Do you feel like you’re fulfilling what you’re meant to in life?

[Source: "Growing Influence" by Ron Price & Stacy Ennis]

Challenge #53

Leadership is the art of influencing people in order to achieve a result. 

• How do you define influence?
• Do you feel you have influence?
• Where would you like more influence? Devise a plan of action.

[Inspiration: "Growing Influence" by R. Price & S. Ennis]

Challenge #54

Leaders promote connectivity within their teams.

Watch RSA’s take on Brene Brown’s empathy versus sympathy presentation.

Time: 2:53

Take notes in your journal and work to connect with your people.

Challenge #55

In your journal, respond to the following questions. Include a plan of action.

• Are you content with your job?
• Are you learning enough?
• Are you challenged enough?
• What causes you joy and discontent with your job?

Challenge #56

Leaders are responsible for nurturing organizational culture.

• Are you familiar with values, assumptions, and beliefs or your organization? Are you sharing them with your team?
• Do the behaviors of your team members and yourself match those of the organization?
• Develop a plan of action to address behavior issues and cultural change.

*Inspiration: Growing Influence by R. Price & S. Ennis

Challenge #57

Effective leaders maximize training effectiveness.

• What plan do you have in place to ensure training transfer occurs?
• Are you fostering a culture where sharing knowledge and information is encouraged?
• Do you have a safe space in which people can learn?

Challenge #58

Great leaders know who they are and what they want. Respond to the following in your journal.

• What defines you?
• Are you doing what you want to be doing? Why not?
• What about your job as a leader brings you joy?
• What about your job causes you concern?

Challenge #59

Leaders put the needs of others before self. 

• Check in on someone. Be present with and available for them during your visit.
• Devote yourself to a cause.
• Consider being a mentor.

Challenge #60

Leadership is not a solo “sport.” 

• Take a moment to thank someone who helped you get to where you are today.
• Acknowledge someone within your sphere of influence who is presently making your job easier.

Challenge #61

Drills aren’t just a tool in a carpenter’s toolbox.

• Practice! Practice! Practice!
• Set up a drill (pre-mortem exercise) for your team.
• Foster relationships with outside groups and hold joint drills.

Challenge #62

We don't learn much when everything goes right. We learn most when things go wrong. – Simon Sinek

• Read Kyle Eliason’s article “11 Tips for a Successful Post-Mortem.”
• Ensure you conduct an examination of both right and wrong events.
• Celebrate successes and learn from failures.

Challenge #63

Leaders surround themselves with people who can hold them accountable and can give them honest feedback.

• Do you have an inner circle?
• Evaluate your inner circle to ensure you have people who ask the hard questions and keep you honest.

Challenge #64

Keeping stress at a manageable level should be the goal of every person.

• Read Dr. Robert Schachter’s book Mindfulness for Stress Management: 50 Ways To Improve Your Mood And Cultivate Calmness.

Challenge #65

Coach John Wooden began his quest for defining “success” with two principles:

1. Don’t try to be better than someone else.
2. Always try to be the best you can be.

In your journal, define your guiding principles and your definition of success.

[Source: Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, John Wooden & Jay Carty]

Challenge #66

Caring for self and others is a duty of every leader. Chronic workplace stress can cause burnout. Know the signs and how to avoid it.

• Read Medical News Today’s article “Burnout: Facing the Damage of ‘Chronic Workplace Stress".

Challenge #67

Respond to the following question in your journal:

• What's the one accomplishment you've made in your life that you're proudest and how has it impacted how you lead?

Challenge #68

"To be authentic is to be at peace with your imperfections." - Simon Sinek

• In your journal, acknowledge your imperfections. Document what, if anything, you can/plan to do to address them.

Challenge #69

Leaders ensure they do not let the opportunity pass to grow.

• Is there something you want to learn how to do? Do it.
• Make growing as a leader a priority. Schedule time in your day for a learning activity.

Challenge #70

Making decisions is something all leaders must do.

• Read Mike Vangel’s Stanford Magazine article “Nine Tips for Smarter Decision-Making”.

Challenge #71

“We all know the importance of asking for help, but those who achieve big things are the ones who accept it when it’s offered.” – Simon Sinek

• Write this quote in your journal and make a commitment to accept help.

Challenge #72

Leaders pay forward the good they have received.

• In your journal, document the good others have done for you.
• Make a plan to pay forward those good deeds.

Challenge #73

Leaders are readers and writers.

• Read Daryl Chen’s article “Helpful Advice for Aspiring Writers of All Ages”.
• In your journal, write down a plan for becoming a better writer.

Challenge #74

Self-care is vital for a leader’s well-being.

• Spend 30 minutes to 1 hour disconnected from electronic devices.
• Engage is physical activity.
• Spend time with friends and family.

Challenge #75

Bring out the best in others. Dan Rockwell suggests:

• Participate.
• Expect more from yourself than you expect from others.
• Treat everyone the same.
• Walk around.
• Always do what you say.
• Apologize when you screw up.
• Clarify commitments.

Challenge #76

Leaders lead by example. In your journal:

• Make a list of the top five attributes you expect your team to exhibit.
• What behaviors might YOU practice that display the attributes you expect from others?

(Adapted from Dan Rockwell’s Leadership Freak blog.

Challenge #77

Reflect on the last year by reviewing your journal.

• Do you feel you have advanced your leadership art?
• Are there unfinished challenges you would like to complete?

Challenge #78

Successful leaders lead change to leave the organization stronger than they found it.

• Are you or have you been an agent of change?
• Is the organization stronger because of your efforts?

Challenge #79

Effective leaders are good followers.

• Read Col. Phillip S. Meilinger’s article “The Ten Rules of Good Followership".
• Write the 10 rules in your journal.
• Share the rules with your team.

Challenge #80

Leaders should be fit for duty.

• In your journal, make a plan to:
  • Meditate/reflect daily.
  • Eat well.
  • Exercise.
• Implement your plan.

Challenge #81

Leaders set the example.

• In your journal, write down how you want to be seen by your team members.
• Conduct an evaluation (could be a 360-degree assessment) to see if your perception matches reality.

Challenge #82

Effective leaders promote a culture where morale and retention is high, people are committed and performance well.

• In your journal, list what items create this type of environment for you.
• What type of environment do your team members need?

Challenge #83

Effective leaders get involved with their operations without micromanaging.

• Make it a habit to be visible during operations.
• Lend a helping hand on occasion.
• Share the joys and hardships with your team.

Challenge #84

In your journal, reflect upon the following:

• What shifts in your leadership have you experienced over the last year?
• What do you still need to work on?

Challenge #85

Good leaders hone their critical thinking skills.

• Read the INC article "7 Mental Exercises to Make You a Better Critical Thinker" by Larry Alton.
• Practice.  Practice.  Practice.

Challenge #86

Effective leaders benchmark other leaders.

• Who are the leaders you follow?
• Keep yourself relevant and informed by switching up your list from time to time.

Challenge #87

Being an agent of change is a leader's job. In your journal, respond to the following:

• How do I feel about leading change?
• List one area of change you intend to lead in 2020.

Challenge #88

In your journal, reflect upon the following:

• What shifts in your leadership have you experienced over the last year?
• What do you still need to work on?

Challenge #89

Approach each day with a blank canvas.

• Write and paint a new page in our life story.