Where Do I Find My Leadership?

Let’s be honest, no one is born a leader! Not Caesar (any of them), not Genghis Kahn, not Kennedy—no one! In the same vein, we are born “pure”—no hate, no racism, no narcissism. But now, you want to be a leader. What do you do? Where do you turn?

There is no single answer, for leadership is a trait that must be cultivated, just like a crop. First, we plant a seed in the supportive medium. Then we ensure that the planting receives its proper nutrients, water, nitrogen, etc. When it finally sprouts, it is still just a tiny little bud. It is not a 6-foot-tall stalk of corn. So, we continue to feed and care for that original seed and its subsequent sprout until it grows tall and strong. That is what each of us must do to become a leader.

Now there are those who believe that there are shortcuts to the process. One group believes that if they are the jokester and always the “life of the party,” the rest of the crew and officers will notice them. They stand out from the crowd. 

“I’m bound for those gold bars,” they think. 

Another group believe that the best way is to usurp leadership and command from the rest of their peers by being the loudest, the bossiest, the “big shot.” 

“They have to choose me! Everyone knows that I’m the most powerful son-of-a-bitch in this squad,” they believe. 

Sadly, no one in these groups will probably move up from being a snot-nosed, belly-crawling, nozzle-jockey. For while humor is an important part of a leader’s makeup, and while knowing how to properly command others is a key part of that same makeup, being an over-bearing bully is not. 

True leadership comes from within, just like the seed. First, you have a desire that is born from the environment around you. It often starts from within the family, namely how you interact with your parents and, possibly, siblings. Are you always the first to help with the chores? Do you always “step up” when your sibling needs help with their homework?

This transitions to your role in your school. Do you have the “hunger” to learn or do you attend classes simply because you must? Do you volunteer for various clubs, events and other school programs? Do you assess your achievements through your ego or through your desire to learn and grow as a young adult? Do you volunteer your time in your community? Are you there when there’s a problem? Do others look to you for your opinion and, yes, perhaps guidance?

For many, this is a point where, though the paths may diverge, you must continue what you have started. If you decide to pursue a college degree, the same traits that mattered in high school still apply in college. Do you still have that hunger? Do you attend lectures by guest speakers to feed that hunger to learn and grow? Are you active in campus clubs and organizations? Do you run for office in one of those clubs? 

Of course some do not choose a traditional college or university; some choose to attend a fire academy. It may be one in your community or state, or it may be the National Fire Academy in Maryland. Nevertheless, the same traits apply to them as for the college attendee. Do you attend extra workshops? Are you willing to travel to hear other leaders in the fire service, and attend classes by nationally recognized instructors and mentors? Do you envy (in the proper manner) their knowledge and experience and seek it for your future career?

If you have read this far, then you just might be one of the future leaders of the American fire service. However, be forewarned, as the British politician Baron John Dalberg-Acton stated, “Power corrupts—absolute power corrupts absolutely.” With the gold bar(s) you seek comes responsibility. It might be as simple as organizing your crew and assigning specific duties to your primary apparatus or as complex as ensuring that your entry team is properly prepared for the action you are all about to undertake at a structure fire. Their lives now rest in your hands.

Should you decide to continue your leadership path, so grows your responsibilities commensurate to the level you have attained. A good leader knows the difference between the words “demand” and “command.” And most importantly, the best leaders lead by example. Remember, there are now smaller “sprouts” looking at and following you. You can show them the path and methodology that will allow them to grow and evolve into the next generation of leaders.

Finally, the best leaders do not retire and disappear. The best leaders always are willing to continue to share their knowledge. For the pursuit of learning should never end in any of us.