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Welcome to the TEEX Leadership Insight Series!

This month we embark on a new leadership journey to help first responders grow to be outstanding leaders. Due to COVID-19, this is the first time in 11 years that TEEX will not be hosting the Leadership Development Symposium in a conference format.

Leaders are born out of adversity and trials, and this new Leadership Insight Series aims to inspire leaders at all levels in your organizations. Noted author Simon Sinek says, “Leadership is not a rank or a position, it is a choice – a choice to look after the person to the left of us and the person to the right of us.”

TEEX and the speakers chosen for this series have made the choice to focus on teaching the behaviors and characteristics of growing leaders from their own unique experiences.

Chris Angerer
Executive Associate Division Director
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Emergency Service Training Institute.

L.E.A.D

All leaders need a little guidance from time to time to keep them on track and headed in the right direction. We all have access to a world of books, podcasts, etc. dealing with the subject of leadership. I have utilized a simple acronym which I feel summarizes what a leader should practice on a day-to-day basis to keep themselves on track—L.E.A.D.   

L – listen to what our people have to say. Listening is an active skill which will give one insight into the needs, concerns, and opinions of our people.   

E – encourage our people to be their best. Let them know when they do a good job even if it is something small. Build their confidence and guide them. 

A – attitude, maintain a positive attitude towards our people and our profession; model the behavior we want to see from our people. 

D – decisive, learn decision making through education and training so when the big one comes, you are ready to make the tough decisions.   

Our people look to us for leadership; it is our charge to show them what leadership is and how to obtain those needed skills when it is their time to lead. Through modeling of desired behaviors and promoting education, we can feel good about the leaders we have helped develop who will lead the fire service into the future. 

Be Nice—Be Professional. 

Michael K. Wehman
Assistant Fire Chief
New Braunfels Fire Department (TX)

The Two Worlds of Management and Leadership "Speak" 
— The CEO Refresher

There are forms of key “speak” within any organization, as depicted in the accompanying image: Specialist, Management and Leadership “speak.” Understanding each is important, as they have a major influence on your venture’s culture. And we all know that our enterprise’s culture ultimately has a significant impact on its eventual performance.

Are You Lying to Yourself about your Leadership? 
— Lolly Daskal

We all try to think well of ourselves, but there are lies we can tell ourselves that do harm to ourselves. Maybe we fear being vulnerable, but we end up insulating ourselves from truths we need, and the cost is high.

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