3. Leadership Skills Flashcards
When can a subculture be created that has the ability to supersede the overall culture of a fire service organization that is created by the fire chief? (p. 89)
Leadership qualities can be found in people of all ranks
What is the right culture that needs to be created by a fire service leader when the leader has the right leadership skill set? (p. 90)
A culture of execution
What is the act of leadership considered to be and hence it needs to be developed? (p. 90)
A skill
What is a recommended way to keep track of your team members talents, skills, and abilities while also learning the value of the diversity of your team members at the same time? (p. 94)
Talents, skills, and abilities check sheet
According to Step Up and Lead, what is one of the most important aspects of time management? It’s right up there with _______ and _______. (p.95)
Delegation;
setting priorities and avoiding time-wasting activities
What will happen to a team if the leader of the team fails to delegate adequately to the team members? (p. 95)
Team will not develop adequately
How can a leader on the fireground have complete confidence that assignments will be completed by the firefighters? (p. 97)
By understanding the abilities of the firefighters
When a leader delegates a task to a team member they must provide the team member with the proper authority to complete the task and what other thing? (p. 96)
Remove interruptions that may impede progress of the task
When a leader is looking at delegating, what must the leader create first to establish and maintain an environment that is favorable to delegating? (p. 98)
Team spirit
A leader that delegates a task is still in control of the overall project, so a leader should not do which of the following? (p. 98)
Relinquish responsibility
What should a leader that is looking to delegate a task do if he or she is unable to find the right person with the qualities needed to complete the task? (p. 99)
Select a delegate to do the task
What is the wrong way to reward hard-working team members that complete delegated tasks? (p. 101)
Give them more work to do
The people who voluntarily work the hardest are usually the people that feel the most what? (p. 101)
Appreciated
What is the purpose for a leader to delegate tasks or projects? (p. 102)
To increase chances for success
Which method is recommended in Step Up and Lead to use when dealing with subordinate problems? (p. 102)
3U Method
15 components of a subordinate interview when dealing with subordinate issues: (p. 104-106)
- Gather facts
- get it in writing
- schedule a meeting
- conduct the meeting
- get thei side of the story
- look for underlying problem
- determine which of the 3Us
- discuss progressive discipline
- develop a solution together and implement it
- summarize
- set a follow-up meeting
- inform them of appeal process
- close on positive note
- document and report
- monitor and evaluate their progress until follow-up meeting
When scheduling the meeting for a subordinate interview, what should you provide the individual with the option of having at the meeting if discipline will be necessary? (p. 104)
Union representation
What should you use during a subordinate interview to get the individual’s side of the story? (p. 105)
Open-ended questions
Which component of the subordinate interview process is the main reason for the interview? (p. 105)
Determine which of the 3Us the individual falls under
What is the last step in the subordinate interview process? (p. 106)
Monitor and evaluate the individual’s progress
What is the purpose of the 3U Method of dealing with subordinate problems? (p. 106)
To determine whether the problem is serious
Which one of the 3Us means to lack mental or physical capability or efficiency? (p. 106)
Unable
If an issue requires any discipline action more than just a talking to, who should determine the appropriate solution for the situation? (p. 108)
Head of the organization
A form of constructive criticism that is used to address situations where performance is at an unacceptable level? (p. 109)
Critiquing
While praise has a greater effect when done publicly, critiquing should be done _________. (p. 109)
Privately
Instead of the person, what should a leader criticize when critiquing others to avoid potentially creating a hostile working environment? (p. 110)
The act
When critiquing others what should a leader do to show the person that they are willing to put the incident behind them and start fresh? (p. 111)
End on a positive note
What is the most dangerous, destructive, and counterproductive act that an individual can do on the fireground? (p. 112)
Freelancing
What usually is the cause of freelancing occurring on the fireground? (p. 114)
Poor communication
If freelancing is found to happen regularly on the fireground throughout an organization then who is likely at fault for this occurring? (p. 115)
The organization
What can a leader do to prevent multiple firefighters from unknowingly duplicating their efforts ineffectively? (p. 117)
Openly delegate tasks
Where is it easier to handle and correct freelancing in the fire service? (p. 117)
Soft environment
What do all great fire departments have in common? (p. 119)
Mentorship program
What type of mentorship program will a really great fire department have? (p. 120)
New firefighter mentoring AND Transitioning new officers to company leaders
What are mentors in the fire service compared to because it is their job to be the outside force that moves another person to take action? (p. 120)
Inertia
How often should mentors be available to interact with those firefighters they are mentoring? (Pp. 120)
Daily
What qualities should a mentor in the fire service possess? (p. 120)
- experience in what they are teaching
- goal oriented
- calm
- caring
- positive
- honest
The key to motivation is __________, and motivation is the key to __________. (p. 122)
Desire, change
What is the least important of the eight things to look for when choosing a mentee for a mentorship program? (p. 123)
Confident
8 things to look for when choosing a mentee: (p. 122-124)
- eager to grow/change
- willing to invest the time
- a positive attitude
- respectful
- purposeful
- confident
- loyal
- willing to be accountable
What does the master motivator Zig Ziglar say is the number one key to success? (p. 124)
Loyalty
In a mentorship program, what is the best way to equip someone with the desire to improve? (p. 125)
Leading by example
How can mentees be elevated and empowered so they can see what they can become? (p. 125)
Give them responsibility
Since mentoring is a source of positive reinforcement, what will encouragement from mentors breed in mentees? (p. 126)
Courage
Increased absenteeism is a sign of what within an organization? (p. 128)
Morale is low
Decreases accidents is a sign of what within an organization? (p. 128)
morale is high
When leading by example, it is essential that a leader be consistent with his ___. (130)
Mood
What can a leader do when leading by example to improve morale that can make their personnel more confident and less worried? (p. 130)
Provide training
For a leader to create and adopt a vision for an organization they must establish what? (p. 129)
Clear and precise goals
If a leader constantly criticizes and micromanages their people, they will begin to lose confidence in themselves and lose __________ for their leader? (p. 130)
Respect
What do the majority of morale-killing problems in the fire service come from, which can fuel resentment faster than anything else? (p. 130)
Gossip and rumors
Money, security, and __________ are the top three reasons that a person works. (p. 134)
Self-esteem
What type of recognition usually occurs immediately, on the spot, and in public? (p. 135)
Informal recognition
What three things are required for recognition to be effective? (p. 135)
Positive, sincere, and timely
Performance evaluations can benefit a team in two ways, they provide an opportunity to express appreciation and performance evaluations help ensure __________. (p. 138)
Accountability
What can occur if you place more emphasis on the accountability portion of a performance evaluation then you do on the recognition portion? (p. 139)
Resentment
Great organizations understand that meetings provide the opportunity to do what? (p. 140)
Get input from every member of the team
What are the strategies to shorten your meetings to ensure effectiveness that are listed in Step Up and Lead? (p. 141-144)
- start on time
- don’t sit down
- be prepared
- be clear and specific
- stick to the agenda
- separate and subjugate
- never end late
Using an agenda is recommended to help make meetings more effective. What can happen to a leader if they do not use an agenda and their meetings are unorganized? (p. 142)
The leader will lose credibility
What should be clearly stated at the beginning of an effective meeting? (p. 142)
Specific goals and objectives
What should a leader that is running an effective meeting do if a concerning issue arises during the meeting but there is not time to address it? (p. 144)
Document it and revisit it at later date
What can leaders do to meetings to help them be more focused and effective in their position? (p. 144)
Shorten meeting length
P-R-DIE is an acronym that can be used to remember an effective format for program development within an organization and in addition, what one other purpose? (p. 145)
Tackling administrative tasks
What does the letter R represent in the acronym P-R-DIE which provides an effective format for program development in an organization? (p. 145)
Research
How would a leader initiate the planning stage of the program development process P-R-DIE? (p. 146)
Forming a committee
In the planning stage of the program development process P-R-DIE, what position needs to be filled upon after forming a committee and scheduling a meeting? (p. 147)
Committee manager
Who should typically assume the role of committee manager for a program development committee? (p. 147)
The leader responsible for developing the program
What should happen next after the research stage is completed in the program development process? (p. 148)
Hold another committee meeting
What is the third step in the program development process, which is where the writing begins? (p. 148)
Develop
To be effective, an SOP needs to include the following sections: purpose, scope, responsibility, and __________. (p. 148)
Procedures/guidelines
Who should the committee manager in charge of developing a program meet with to review the final product and discuss implementation? (p. 150)
Department head
What is the best option for informing the public about a new program that is being implemented by your department? (p. 150)
Multimedia campaign
What should be done through a pilot program before implementing a new program for your organization? (p. 150)
Evaluate its effectiveness
What will a good leader do after the development of a new program is completed? (p. 151)
Reward the committee members
When looking at nonverbal communication, what would you think of someone who is unable to make eye contact? (p. 155)
They are hiding something
What type of single gesture is normally the dominant body gesture that can tell you a lot about a person? (p. 156)
Facial expressions
What presentation tactic can work for motivational speakers but is not recommended for general public speaking presentations? (p. 156)
Overdoing changes to delivery speed
What should be done prior to a presentation if you are going to use a PowerPoint slideshow during your presentation? (p. 157)
Rehearse your presentation using a projector and screen
What is the first thing you should do if you are serious about advancing your career and getting promoted? (p. 158)
Identify your reason or reasons why
What is the key thing to focus on when taking a promotional exam after you have read the appropriate books and attended the educational seminars? (p. 159)
Practice, practice, practice
When practicing your presentation skills for a promotional exam you are preparing to deliver your message in a professional manner and also what one other thing? (p. 159)
Hit the main points for the best possible score
What is the best way to rehearse for a presentation you are giving whether it is for a promotional test or a public audience? (p. 159)
Videotaping yourself as you practice
What should be included in your daily ritual of preparing for a presentation in the days leading up to your presentation in addition to studying your topic? (p. 159)
Practice your delivery
In addition to giving precise directions, what other thing does an incident commander on the fireground need to do for good communication to occur? (p. 160)
Listen
What is the key way that people obtain information so they can make smart decisions? (p. 161)
Listening
A necessary leadership skill in the fire service is the ability to acquire tools for training because the fire service exists for what reason? (p. 161)
Serve people during a crisis
Hands-on training for firefighters can only be received in two situations, during fire academies or __________. (p. 162)
Securing abandoned structures
When looking to acquire buildings for hands-on training, community building inspectors, local contractors, and __________ can be good resources to reach out to and inform them that your fire department is looking for structures to train on. (p. 163)
Real estate investors
Once a structure is located for hands-on training what needs to be done before even stepping foot on the property? (p. 164)
Obtain permission in writing
Where can a fire officer in charge of planning hands-on training in an acquired structure find a sample release form that describes the agreement between the property owner, the department, and the municipality? (p. 165)
NFPA 1403
Where can a sample checklist of safety precautions that need to be taken prior to beginning any training evolutions be found? (p. 166)
NFPA 1403
Poor report writing is usually attributed to one (or more) of what 3 reasons? (p. 169)
- lack of training
- lack of understanding what a good report consists of
- poor writing skills
Whatever the reason, poor report writing can be corrected with training, good formatting, and __________. (p. 169)
Spell check
Incident reports are the first place lawyers look and lawyers know how to make you look incompetent. How can you combat looking incompetent from your reports? (p. 170)
Write adequate and thorough reports
What do narratives in incident reports that are adequate need to contain to prove you did the right thing at an incident? (p. 171)
Detailed facts
These are written to educate people that were not on the scene of an incident and to help you recall details about an incident years later. (p. 171)
Reports
The 11 headings recommended for a structure fire narrative format: (p. 172)
- en route
- establish command
- size-up
- initial radio report (IRR)
- resources requested
- incident command system
- strategies and tactics
- problems encountered
- under control
- transfer or termination of command
- additional information
What are the tips recommended in Step Up and Lead for a report writing system? (p. 173)
- write report when incident is fresh on your mind
- spell out commonly abbreviated phrases
- compose in word processing program, then copy/paste into reporting system
- use spell check
- reread before submitting
- imagine that your entire report will be read in your absence in a meeting.
When writing reports what should be used to ensure consistency so you don’t miss any key components of a narrative? (p. 173)
Use a template as a guide
What do union heads want to know from fire service organizational leaders? (p. 174)
That the leaders are listening to the union members’ feedback
Although leaders will spend the least amount of time leading in this place, it is where leadership qualities count the most? (p. 176)
On the fireground
What type of leader is created simply with a title, rank, or position of authority and this type of leader is usually threatened by talented people? (p. 91)
Positional leader
What do firefighters say will make them more loyal to a leader if the leader displays this quality? (p. 89)
Respect
A leader who does not know how to utilize resources properly, is always angry because others don’t know what he wants, and blames everyone else for things going bad. This is a description of: (p. 92)
a classic micromanager
What should a leader do when delegating a task or project that will take several days, weeks, or months to accomplish? (p. 100)
Schedule regular meetings
An individual that is showing signs of incompetence will fall under which category of the 3U Method of dealing with subordinate problems? (p. 108)
Unable
Within the 3U Method of handling subordinate problems, a person that is unwilling to change his actions is __________. (p. 108)
Insubordinate
What is the first step in a progressive discipline process? (p. 108)
Verbal reprimand
Which management technique is used to relax the individual so they are more open to hear what you have to say by placing the performance issue between two compliments? (p. 111)
Sandwich technique
What label is given to firefighters who consistently neglect their duties and tend not to be where they are supposed to be on a regular basis? (p. 115)
Coward
what are actions that can be used to prevent the act of freelancing? (p. 116)
- Train
- Follow up in writing
- give clear directions
- openly delegate tasks
- track your personnel
- hold people accountable for action
- communicate your expectations regularly
What is the best way to match firefighters in a mentorship program so that the company officer can get more members involved? (p. 120)
Match experienced firefighters with new recruits
How many mentees or key individuals is the maximum that a good mentor should be allowed to handle? (p. 122)
Five
What is the best way to measure the progress a mentor’s work is making, which can be called a modern-day progress report? (p. 124)
Accountability
What are the 6 steps to effectively begin mentoring? (p. 125-126)
- choose your mentees
- begin the connecting process
- begin to equip them
- enable them
- encourage them
- inspire and encourage them to be self-motivated
How do mentors inspire and encourage mentees to be self-motivated? (p. 126)
Casting a vision
What is similar to mentoring except that it is offered to personnel when they are having personal issues that are affecting their work performance? (p. 126)
Counseling
With the permission of the department head, what is a great way to instill team spirit in a team? (p. 133)
Allow teams to create their own identity
When a leader is being generous with praise to encourage others to duplicate the praiseworthy actions, it is important that the leader praise the person and what else? (p. 137)
The act
In addition to having a vast knowledge base of the topic, what else is essential for a leader to have when speaking in public? (p. 153)
Good communication skills
What are the three subconscious aspects that people are paying attention to? (p. 154)
- your voice
- body language
- appearance
What is essential to improving your oral communication skills to ensure the best presentation you are capable of? (p. 154)
Practice
What is the name for a grouping of individual gestures that tell people watching your presentation about you and can cause your audience to judge you instead of listening? (p. 155)
Gesture clusters
Where is blame usually placed when communication on the fireground goes wrong? (p. 160)
The receiver
How much time should everyone, including the IC, spend listening on the fireground? (p. 161)
80%
What is an example of a similar organization that could help the fire department locate an abandoned structure to train on because they would also find value in training on the structure? (p. 163)
Police department
What is the first thing you should do to get the most out of a training evolution before beginning the training? (p. 166)
Write a one-page lesson plan
Why should you conduct a walk-through of the building with participants before beginning a training evolution? (p. 167)
To cover important safety tips
What is one word that sums up why report writing should be taken seriously and completed properly? (p. 169)
Liability
What type of incidents present firefighters with the greatest chance of liability? (p. 169)
Low frequency incidents
What system allows fire service leaders to organize an incident by incorporating military aspects of leadership on the fire scene? (p. 176)
Incident Command System
