The fire service has a strength that doubles as a weakness; the team concept. There is no argument about how a team in the fire service can be very effective and successful. The weakness of the team is that it gives each individual the opportunity to hide their personal weaknesses under the team umbrella. Not all fire service members take advantage of this opportunity, but all fire service members have the opportunity to be honest about their weaknesses. Be honest with your skills and performance because excellence is found in openness, not bravado.