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Permalink Reply by Shannon Pieper, FireRescue Magazine on September 27, 2009 at 8:49pm

Fast Company is great at provoking these self-reflecting moments. Thanks for sharing this; I didn't know about the 30-second MBA clips. In this case most of the people interviewed seemed to be reflecting on how globalization and the pace of change within the business/corporate world has changed leadership. Do FFN readers see the same forces at work in their departments/fire service? I'm curious.

I try to stay away from naming people who I regard as great leaders, because I think it tends to both narrow the definition and, at the same time, make it seem out of touch for the ordinary person. To me, leadership is providing a vision and an example that others both want to follow and trust to lead them through the bad times and the good. That's why it's possible to be a great leader and still make mistakes, because it's all in how you react, the example of humility you set that makes your leadership authentic and allows people to maintain trust despite your mistakes.

There's another big component, though. And that's that leaders must have an inherent interest in developing those who will follow. Leaders who care only about their success in paving the way, and not about who will walk the path after them, are simply lacking. We've all known people who were great at their jobs and were stand-up people, but they just don't show a desire to help others grow and develop. That ability to encourage, to shape someone's career development, to see them grow as a person because of the opportunities you give them, is one of the most important aspects of leadership. If that doesn't excite you, your ability as a leader will always be compromised.

Permalink Reply by Chris Tomlinson on September 28, 2009 at 8:48am

I agree with Shannon in that Fast Company is always very smart about being at the forefront of innovative thinking.

And one person in particular whom I think has a good handle on leadership is Seth Godin. He is a marketing whiz who is trying to revolutionize the way we market to customers. He also speaks of creating "tribes" of followers, because at the core of any person is the desire to connect.

Now what if leaders worked more at connecting and creating tribes instead of ruling the roost? I then think the whole idea of leadership would shift to a more positive light.

~Chris
F.D. Web Design