The Best Fire Department Leaders

I recently saw a quote that stated, “In a race between a lion and deer, many times, the deer wins, because the lion runs for food and the deer runs for life. Remember, purpose is more important than need.” On the surface, my initial thought was, “Why would I want to be a deer instead of a lion. I mean, to be the ‘king,’ full of courage, strength and speed, sounds amazing.”

I dug a bit deeper and realized that even if I was a lion, I might be more apt to use courage, strength and speed for a larger hunt, but let’s face it, every smart lion knows that the lionesses are the actual hunters for the pride because of their smaller size, agility, natural nurturing and ability to work together.

Then I recalled many experiences at the zoo. The only time that I ever saw a lion even move, well, was never!

I recently was on a walk, and I passed a deer. It was almost robotic while incrementally moving its head, compensating for poor vision with intense hearing and smelling skills.

So, what does being a lion or a deer have to do with leadership? In a world of lions full of pride, be a deer instead, as leaders stand side by side.

‘Main’ issue with being a lion

Pride is one of those words that, well, frankly, can be confusing. How many books, particularly through a leadership lens, reference pride in regard to work ethic? A job well done? The act of washing a shiny red fire truck or wearing a starched uniform to show ownership? I take pride in my commitment to the job that I love with the people who I love while serving the people who I swore to save. What’s the main issue with being a lion? How can pride get in the way of progress, relationships and change?

Pride can be seen as excessive self-importance or superiority over others. Pride is bad when it leads to arrogance, vanity and contempt. Pride also can prevent learning from one’s mistakes, admitting one’s faults and seeking help when it’s needed. Pride can alienate a person from other people who might feel offended or threatened by a prideful attitude. Whereas lions are fast and extremely strong and can claw and grip their prey effectively, ask yourself, “Am I racing for food and need out of pride, or am I allowing leadership in action to humble me toward a life of purpose?”

‘Point’ of being a deer

Have you ever “run for dear life?” Have you ever felt as though you were being hunted, just waiting to be devoured? If you have, then you were leading with a purpose and you were humbled, not only with the realization that leadership is easy for those who don’t get it but difficult for those who do. You accepted the reality of leadership, that authentic leadership is servanthood.

A posture of leadership requires a person to self-reflect, to oppose the pride, and to give and receive grace out of humility. Deer’s strength lies in being agile, creative with last-second maneuverability, strategic in evasive tactics. They possess the ability to leap by evading predators. Deer are designed to escape because of their adaptability to change directions, maintain a lightness on their feet and take long strides over obstacles, while having the stamina to outrun their pursuers with a sense of purpose and, at times, survival.

We can learn a lot about leadership from deer as we run with a purpose, adapt to change, are willing to shift directions, recognize that there will be obstacles, yet maintain the “lightness” to leap toward opportunities out of humility, never pride.

Leap before you look

No, you didn’t misread the heading. Even though the saying is “look before you leap,” I believe that to lead effectively, servant leaders leap before they look. Leaping allows leaders to discover that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they are meant to be. Even when the dynamic relationship of predator and prey are in play, purpose beats the primal need.

Pride leads to negative consequences, such as destruction and downfall. However, we should encourage and admonish each other and take appropriate pride in the purpose in which we love the job and love the people who we serve while serving the people who we swore to save.
So, leap before you look as a leader. Trust your instincts. Remain agile, creative, strategic and, most of all, humble, because our people can see a leader’s authentic self just as easily as they can see unauthenticity, which can be driven by pride, ego and selfishness.

Be selfless. Be a deer. Take pride in what you do each and every day without being prideful. Stand as a leader, with leaders, while serving leaders from a place of purposeful humility as you leap toward exactly where you are meant to be.