Teamwork
Are You Trustworthy?
“Regardless of the profession or situation, earning trust is paramount in leadership.”1 On September 4, 2024, the Denver Post published an article titled, Years of Misconduct, Inside CBI’s Inquiry into a DNA Analyst. The story is about Yvonne “Missy” Woods who was a DNA scientist for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Woods had gained a…
Read MoreWhat Monstrous Alligator is Lurking in Your Department?
Do you have a monstrous alligator lurking in the waters of your Fire Department? The organizational monster Halloween is this week and there are organizational monsters and alligators roaming through the fire departments of the world. We can also include other organizations such as business, non-profits, and various government entities (elected, appointed, and hired employees).…
Read MoreThree Reasons Why Managing People is Bad for Morale
Although the words leadership and management are used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two, and understanding that difference has an impact on organizational morale. Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune, the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps said, “Leadership is the sum of those qualities of intellect, human understanding, and moral character that enables…
Read MoreAre You Chained Down?
Not too long ago I saw a comment on LinkedIn that said, “The worst thing a person can do is leave their career development to the mercy of the employer. I have seen it.” This made me think of the many ways an individual’s career development may be hindered by an organization, whether intentional or…
Read MoreIs Your Personal Development Diluted?
The titles of my last two blogs were, Are You Goal Oriented or Growth Oriented. You may have a plan for development, but is it diluted and weak? The fuel spill Throughout my career as a firefighter, I responded to a wide variety of incidents, including fuel spills ranging from small puddles to gasoline flowing…
Read MoreUp in Flames!
I read an online article from Fast Company, Inc. titled Why no one on your team wants to be a manager anymore – and how to change that1. The article cites a survey from CareerBuilder “of over 3,600 workers” claiming that “most people don’t want to be managers.” I agree with the author’s assessment that…
Read MoreWeak or Strong, It’s Your Choice
Two cups of coffee. The one on the left is light colored, watered down, and weak. The one on the right is darker colored, robust, and full flavored. The cup on the left is disgusting, you spit it out, and say “No more!” The cup on the right has a pleasant aroma, tastes good, and…
Read MoreAvoiding a Career Tsunami
On Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, there was an assassination attempt on the life of President Donald Trump. Fortunately, the assassin failed, Trump lived, and the assassin was neutralized. Almost immediately, the head of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle came under criticism and scrutiny for not providing an adequate level of protection…
Read MoreDo You Appreciate Your Employees?
In my July 3rd blog post, I mentioned bosses who fail to recognize demanding work and employee achievements. In this post, I am addressing that topic in more detail. On June 3rd of this year, I had the opportunity to attend a Common Pursuit event hosted by Kingdom Way Ministries in Loveland, Colorado. The speaker…
Read MoreDanger! Hazardous and Toxic!
Last week’s blog asked if you would enter a toxic atmosphere unprotected. I compared a choking cloud of chlorine gas to a noxious work environment and the impact on mental and physical health. Required signs The photo shows a restricted area at an industrial waste site warning people of the dangers behind the fence. Laws…
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