It was a cold winter day in Wisconsin, and the coming winter weather was enough to make even the saltiest veterans of our area’s fire service consider the special calls and challenges that winter brings.  Slippery roads bring car accidents on the Interstate, cold weather creates more risk for structure fires, chimney fires, firefighter rehab and cold weather safety concerns and the holidays create dynamic EMS calls, with more emotional families, and a variety of other challenges for our personnel.  And, considering all of our departmental preparations and training for this special time of year in Wisconsin, I entered into one of the most challenging scenarios that I encounter each year at this time.    Christmas shopping.  That’s right… Christmas shopping.

You might wonder what this has to do with our beloved fire service, and here’s the thing… sometimes the most important lessons in leadership can come to us when we least expect them.  My dearest wife and I began our trip to the shopping mall, and I had promised to buy her a cup of coffee at Starbucks on the way.  As I pulled up to the cashier’s window to pay for our coffee, the person behind the window told me that the car in front of us had paid for our drinks, and that on occasion someone will start a chain of good deeds by paying for the people behind them.  We were about the 30^th car in the chain at this point.  I was amazed at the kindness of all of these people, knowing that 30 drivers had decided to “pay it forward” and ease a burden, however small, for another person during the holidays.  As the car in front of me pulled away, the driver waved, and they were gone.

Of course, I returned the favor for the next car.  And, I was able to see the smile on their face when they learned that their coffee had been paid for already.  As we drove away, we waved to them… and then I started to ponder the greater lesson.

As a member of a professional volunteer organization, or in an organization staffed with combination or career staffing methods, we can become too focused on the tasks at hand, and get caught in the routine of our day-to-day responsibilities.  When the time comes and we can spend a little bit of our energy to help another person, often we miss the opportunity.  Or, we spend so much of our focus on the service that we’re providing to our communities that we forget to be kind to each other.  This can become even more apparent when the leader of an organization is resistant to any change.  Remember, change can be as positive as it can be negative.

Our service can learn a lot from Starbucks, and their willingness to foster such a kind and positive process to take place.  If we, as firefighters, can make someone’s day a little bit brighter, we are furthering our mission of service and protection.  Even if that someone is one of our own members or those that support us.  It doesn’t cost much to buy someone a soda, or help them with a task around the station.  If they appreciate it, ask them to keep it going, and it might catch on.

So, as we head into another cold winter, and we prepare for the inevitable challenges that winter weather brings, don’t forget to spread some kindness and foster a positive culture of helping others both inside and outside of your department.  Beyond organizational and fire service leadership, that is true community leadership!