Holding the Line

Supervisors sometimes have to uphold policies or give directions with which they do not entirely agree.  In the past couple of weeks, I have had conversations about just this topic with three people who have faced this challenge in three distinct contexts: A commander in a metropolitan law enforcement agency. He supervises sergeants, who supervise […]

Gratitude

It’s a good time of year to reflect on gratitude.  The kids are back in school, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and in our part of the Northern Hemisphere, seasonal change can no longer credibly be denied. It was a great summer, and it is a lovely fall.  It also feels like time to get […]

Excellence or Excess?

I recently traveled to Indianapolis to present to the IERC (Indiana Emergency Response Conference), the annual conference of the Indiana State Fire Chiefs Association. It was an entirely positive experience: great conversations with fire service leaders, interesting presentations on a range of topics, and my own session was well received. The trip also included a […]

Springtime Moments

This morning I was rushing to meet our accountant – yes, on a Sunday, and yes, perilously close to April 15 – when I walked headlong into a tree branch.   My face is nothing to write home about, but it is the only one I have, so my first thought concerned whether it was bleeding.  […]

Clean Leadership

About six weeks ago I began teaching a Metro State University course at Century College.  It was my first time on that campus; my introduction was memorable and, well, instructive.  A staff member saw me studying the map, offered a warm welcome, and guided me to the classroom.  “We’re so happy to have Metro State […]