Note to Readers: This is a longer article, which first appeared in Minnesota Fire Chief Magazine, the publication of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (www.msfca.org). “I’m sorry to interrupt, but this is a bunch of bulls—t,” the officer said. Frustration was evident on his face. “These are some good techniques and stuff, but they […]
https://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.png00Chad Weinsteinhttps://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.pngChad Weinstein2017-02-15 13:12:012017-02-15 13:12:01Everyday Leadership in the Fire Service
Greetings, Treasured Reader! It has been many, many months since we blogged here. The silence ends now. We are renewing our commitment to monthly blog posts on topics related to ethical leadership: the capacity and commitment to empower others to improve the world. This has been an exciting time for Ethical Leaders in Action (ELA). […]
This morning I took my six-year old son to day camp; it was a routine transition; my son was calm and happy. As we found his group, we came upon another boy who was much less calm and happy. When his dad brought him to his group, the boy clung to his father’s leg. Another […]
https://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/kids-for-blog.jpg11631215Chad Weinsteinhttps://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.pngChad Weinstein2015-07-07 10:13:472015-07-07 10:13:47Helpful Friends, New and Old
Alfred “Al” May passed away about this time last year, at age 90. I attended his funeral because his son and daughter are both very dear friends, and because I remember Al well and fondly myself. I expected to pay my respects, to support my friends, and to reflect on Al. I didn’t expect to […]
https://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Cemetary-winter.jpg18102716Chad Weinsteinhttps://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.pngChad Weinstein2015-03-18 22:39:242015-03-18 22:39:24Al May, Mentorship, and an Enduring Lesson for Leaders
Celebrity anchor Brian Williams was suspended from NBC News after Stars and Stripes broke the story that his oft-repeated tale of coming under fire in a Chinook helicopter was essentially a big, flying bag of lies. There has been much clucking and condemnation from all quarters, especially from veterans who have actually been fired upon, […]
https://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/firefighters-on-bumper.jpg18102716Chad Weinsteinhttps://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.pngChad Weinstein2015-02-27 17:51:492015-02-27 17:51:49What Brian Williams can Teach Fire Service Leaders (and the rest of us)
Back in November I posted, “Holding the Line,” arguing that leaders have a broad, important responsibility to execute directives from higher in their organizations. On that basis, we sometimes have to take actions or uphold standards for our team members, even when we do not fully agree with those actions or standards. I also promised […]
https://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/drawing-the-line.jpg480640Chad Weinsteinhttps://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.pngChad Weinstein2015-02-01 10:47:412015-02-09 16:19:25Drawing the Line
Our cat Athena died about two weeks ago, euthanized in the face of kidney failure. She was nearly fifteen years of age, which is reasonably old for a cat. She lived a long life filled with domestic cat activities, prominently including napping, eating, and play. She was especially fond of running water, which we found […]
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 […]
https://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.png00Chad Weinsteinhttps://ethinact.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo.pngChad Weinstein2014-11-03 20:43:072014-11-03 20:43:07Holding the Line
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 […]
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 […]
Everyday Leadership in the Fire Service
/in Ethical Leadership, Fire/EMS, Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinNote to Readers: This is a longer article, which first appeared in Minnesota Fire Chief Magazine, the publication of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (www.msfca.org). “I’m sorry to interrupt, but this is a bunch of bulls—t,” the officer said. Frustration was evident on his face. “These are some good techniques and stuff, but they […]
We’re Back!
/in Ethical Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinGreetings, Treasured Reader! It has been many, many months since we blogged here. The silence ends now. We are renewing our commitment to monthly blog posts on topics related to ethical leadership: the capacity and commitment to empower others to improve the world. This has been an exciting time for Ethical Leaders in Action (ELA). […]
Helpful Friends, New and Old
/in Ethical Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinThis morning I took my six-year old son to day camp; it was a routine transition; my son was calm and happy. As we found his group, we came upon another boy who was much less calm and happy. When his dad brought him to his group, the boy clung to his father’s leg. Another […]
Al May, Mentorship, and an Enduring Lesson for Leaders
/in Ethical Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinAlfred “Al” May passed away about this time last year, at age 90. I attended his funeral because his son and daughter are both very dear friends, and because I remember Al well and fondly myself. I expected to pay my respects, to support my friends, and to reflect on Al. I didn’t expect to […]
What Brian Williams can Teach Fire Service Leaders (and the rest of us)
/in Ethical Leadership, Fire/EMS/by Chad WeinsteinCelebrity anchor Brian Williams was suspended from NBC News after Stars and Stripes broke the story that his oft-repeated tale of coming under fire in a Chinook helicopter was essentially a big, flying bag of lies. There has been much clucking and condemnation from all quarters, especially from veterans who have actually been fired upon, […]
Drawing the Line
/in Ethical Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinBack in November I posted, “Holding the Line,” arguing that leaders have a broad, important responsibility to execute directives from higher in their organizations. On that basis, we sometimes have to take actions or uphold standards for our team members, even when we do not fully agree with those actions or standards. I also promised […]
Remembering Athena the Cat
/in Ethical Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinOur cat Athena died about two weeks ago, euthanized in the face of kidney failure. She was nearly fifteen years of age, which is reasonably old for a cat. She lived a long life filled with domestic cat activities, prominently including napping, eating, and play. She was especially fond of running water, which we found […]
Holding the Line
/in Ethical Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinSupervisors 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
/in Ethical Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinIt’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?
/in Ethical Leadership/by Chad WeinsteinI 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 […]