Leadership is about applying your organization’s systems and processes to effectively build and lead people to achieve organizational objectives. As leaders, we can get so caught up in everything that we sometimes forget a simple truth: We need to enjoy our journey. There is nothing worse than having a great career but wishing you had enjoyed the journey more.
There is a prevailing thought that no organization can survive continued poor leadership, but I would also argue that it is equally true that no person can survive a poor journey. There are people who have basically been unhappy for 20, 25, even 30 years; these are outliers because they are the ones who are unhappy no matter what. However, for the average person who do not fully appreciate the value of the journey and experience gained, disenchantment and eventually indifference are ultimately inescapable.
Personal reflections
Naturally, we will not relish every moment, but here are some points to consider: Did you truly enjoy your time? Did you find value in each opportunity? Would you do it all over again?
If, at this point, you are doubting the validity of my point, I will pose a few more questions: Why is the divorce rate in the fire service so high? Why is substance abuse a continued problem in the fire service? Why, sadly, is suicide becoming more prevalent? These growing problems suggest that there are unmet needs and a general lack of fulfillment that seeks attention, even if through unproductive means.
While the root causes of these issues are many and varied, there is a common link associated with each—not enjoying our journey. People become so focused on the systems, the processes and managing people that we forget how to have fun and enjoy the experience for its own sake. Think about the last vacation or trip you took and some of the stressors associated with it. It is entirely possible that there are too many to list, and we all know that these things can and do interfere with you enjoying your journey. To be completely honest, I do not know if we understand how to unplug and relax anymore. And if these factors can interfere with a vacation, how can we believe that these same things do not hold true at work?
As leaders, current and future alike, we must recognize that these factors, large and small, interfere with a person enjoying their journey. In fact, they are nothing more than sources of stress, and the stress undeniably adds up. There is a plethora of research that speaks to the health and safety risks of stress, but little attention is given to the effect it has on us personally, not to mention its effect on the people around us. Not only do we need to manage systems, processes and people, but we also need to manage the stressful situations that affect the quality of life of those people we care about so much.
I was once given the great advice that no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. I wish I had understood this 20 years ago. It is true that you cannot eliminate or prevent stress completely. While your organization may be loaded with a wealth of knowledgeable people, is your organization loaded with an equal number of leaders who care and serve?
As a leader, it is incumbent upon you to ensure that your people are enjoying and growing in their journey. It is equally important to make sure that you are enjoying your own journey, for your own benefit and that of those around you.
Final thoughts
Everything we are tasked with doing is a potential source of stress that could interfere with someone doing the best job possible and negatively influence their quality of life. It is leadership’s responsibility to have a high-performing organization, always striving to function at the top of its game. However, it is also leadership’s responsibility to ensure that the people whom they rely on each day to do amazing things have the same commitment to excellence in their personal lives. Essentially, don’t sweat the small stuff, and enjoy your journey wherever it may take you.
Stay low, stay safe and train every day!
