When dealing with groups of firefighters, especially in situations where you get together to train or any group activity, a four step process occurs regardless of who and where you are... People are people and these rules will never change.

Four Steps of Group Interaction:

1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing

Forming: When you first meet someone, you form an immediate opinion of someone based on many things such as how they look, dress, talk and body language. It's not fair and it's through maturity and experience that you develop the skills necessary to size someone up. The below graphic explains this pretty well without my having to duplicate the information...

Storming: This is where leaders of the group come out, you know, those strong will leader Type A's out there. There are others who are just watchers and eventually a pecking order is established with the more dominant personalities leading the group.

Norming: After the storming process, folks will get comfortable with their position and roles. things "normalize" where no one feels threatened and are willing to work together. Good leaders know these secrets and make sure that everyone has a job, goals and feels part of the group.

Performing: Now that everyone is one happy family, the job or task can be accomplished and done well because a team has been established. Couple this with some competitiveness and you will have a great success team building your folks.

Summary: Perceptions based on how someone looks verses who they truly are on the inside when you first meet someone is the achilles heal for many folks who want to be leaders but just don't get the big picture. Everything starts with a good foundation and that means that you have to look past the physical realm of forming an opinion to take the time to talk and learn about someone before passing judgement. This often times mean that you don't have to go along with the group consensus but instead, make up you own mind, based on your personal opinion. Don't be a follower, be a leader...

Warning: This video may elicit hay fever type symptoms including watering eyes, tearing and congestion for some individuals who have a heart...

Stay safe and train often!

CB