Metro Fire Chiefs leadership program launched

Yesterday marked the launch of a cohort-based leadership program for the Metro Fire Chief Officers Association, meeting at the venerable Jax Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis.  The focus of this session, the first of four, was how to make a fire department “grouse-resistant.”  This refers to the natural tendency of firefighters and fire officers to complain, sometimes bitterly and persistently.  (Apologies to our feathered friends of the North Woods.)

The goal is not really just avoiding discord.  The goal is engagement, at all levels fo the department.  People at their best, committed to the mission of the organization.  One key to achieving engagement: consciously implementing fair processes and ethical decision-making.  We had a lively discussion touching on the realities of a fire department, and even on the nature of fairness itself.   Everyone recognizes that “perception is reality,” or maybe more realistically, perception is as important as reality.  If our processes and conduct are fundamentally fair, based on some simple, proven principles, and if we communicate consistently and effectively, we can have confidence that over time the members’ perceptions will align with that reality.

View the presentation here, or click the link to download:

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On a personal note, it was a real pleasure to lead a conversation of chief officers.  They shared a common perspective, from the top of some very different organizations.  I wish I didn’t have to wait a month to continue that particular conversation…

CAW