So this is my first forum post and my goal is to open a discussion about practical leadership. The Scottish diplomat and author John Buchan once said “The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already.”  I look at leadership as not only a way to lead your troops in to battle but a way to lead every day even when things are slow and there are no calls.  Practical leadership is a lifestyle that you as a leader must choose to live. 

 A great leader lives a lifestyle that includes everyday Practical Leadership.  A leader leads by example from the most menial task to the most extreme incident. The leader lives a life of Practical Leadership in everything he or she does.  A leader doesn’t have to have a lot of ribbons on his uniform to be great.

Practical Leadership doesn’t have to only happen with a chief level position.  It can happen at all levels. Everyday were expected to spring into action when the bell rings and due the unthinkable.  We are a small group of highly trained individuals that do the best job in the world. It doesn’t matter if your volunteer, part time or full time we are all professional firefighters and rescue workers. 

I welcome all of your input and suggestions about this subject.  I would love to read about your ideas and situations or case studies about Practical Leadership. Together as a team we can mold the next generation of great firefighters into the next generation of great leaders.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams