5 Leadership Tools For Officer Success – Part 3

In the final segment of the top 5 leadership tools for the officer it should come as no surprise that passion is a key tool for today’s fire officer. Noted author and speaker John Maxwell stated, “Leaders must bring their vision and the aspirations of the people they lead together in a way that benefits everyone.”

Leadership Tool #5 – Be Passionate

The passionate officer has a deep passion for life and the profession. Upon waking in the morning, the passionate officer desires to make a difference in the world and the fire department. This is the individual that takes RESPONSIBILITY for his or her attitude and wants to contribute for the betterment of mankind.

Passion is a KEY ingredient for leadership.

Being passionate is about walking the talk and letting others know that it is okay to want to make a difference in the department and the world. There is a key point here: Passion is more than just making a difference in the fire department, it’s about making a difference in the world.

Passionate leaders are BIG picture thinkers.

There are three key benefits from being a passionate leader

#1 – Passion Creates Energy

Passionate officers are recognized by the positive energy that flows from them. You can actually feel it and see it, and it can’t be hidden because the passion comes from within and is literally their leadership heartbeat.

For the passionate fire officer, this energy is visible to all and generally firefighters WANT to be a part of it. Who doesn’t want to follow a leader who is passionate about what he or she believes in?

#2 – Passion Moves Us

When the officer is passionate about the profession and making a difference in the world, it moves others. Firefighters want to follow and make a difference too. Firefighters generally do not buy into the vision until they buy into the leader — and buying into the leader means they must believe their leader is passionate.

#3 – Passion Overcomes Challenges

Being passionate does not deflect the challenges a fire officer will face, but it does provide that much needed energy to push through the leadership storms.

Passion is the life blood of the officer and it creates a self-perpetuating source of energy for the leader and the team. It’s easy to see why passionate leaders have followers that want to help their leader accomplish department goals.

There is no doubt that passionate leaders grab the attention of others and move them to action.

So take responsibility, encourage others, be positive, be authentic — and be passionate!

Photo courtesy of Chief Gord Schreiner.

Check out the complete series here!

5 Leadership Tools For Officer Success

Part 1: Take Responsibility & Be A Cheerleader
Part 2: Be Positive & Be Authentic
Part 3: Be Passionate