Thought Leadership

Why are we doing this?

Good leadership requires good communications.  Although there are many ways to become a better leader, writing is an undeniable leadership requirement since writing has the advantage of being deliberate and sustaining.

There are a multitude of challenges facing the fire service, none of which have easy straight-forward answers.  Many of these require challenging the status quo in a manner which has the finesse to allow others to understand and visualize solutions beyond our current reality.

The most common approach for thought leadership articles would have articles written and published by Chiefs or Chief Fire Officers.  But individuals within various functions and at all levels of a fire department can provide unique perspectives and deliver insightful solutions regardless of their rank or length of service.

“These days, we hear the terms “thought leader” and “thought leadership” a lot. Most people like the idea of becoming one, and would like to know how to become a thought leader (or at least how to be seen as one). Why? Because credibility is the calling card needed to lead and persuade” Jeff Berand, Red Flash Group  

Thought leadership is the missing link which connects today with the excitement of tomorrow.

Why is thought leadership important?

Informational influence has become one of the most important leadership traits.  The only way to lead effectively when you cannot force people to do something is to be an example of how leaders share information and lead from a place of caring

“Today’s leaders display characteristics of thought leadership – which is changing people’s minds and inspiring at a distance.  Both active leadership and thought leadership unite diverse people because the idea(s) inspires them to examine unresolved challenges from different perspectives” Chief Mark Bashoor.

While future and current leaders may have different perspectives than more senior members of the fire service, their level of dedication and willingness to address and problem-solve reflects the best the fire service has to offer.  It is both impressive and exciting when fire fighters, company officers and chief officers thoughtfully and respectfully challenge how we think about the future of the fire service

Good leadership deepens on good communication.  

Think like a leader – Write like a leader

How does it contribute to the development and positioning of the fire service?

“Being a thought leader can be an ethereal experience, yet it is not always an academic exercise. Training and education certainly provide the developmental basis and methodology for the critical-thinking process, but it’s up to current thought leaders to mentor those around us to become the next group of progressive leaders. The philosophic questions we should be asking don’t require a doctorate, but they certainly do require the ability to think beyond….”  Chief Marc Bashoor, Executive Editor of FireRescue1 (September 2019)

Why is it important to Darley?

Initiating and sponsoring the essay competition is a very important way Darley continues to both support the fire service’s history and recognize the fire service’s ever-increasing relevance as a complex and extremely resourceful and essential service to our nation.   

The Thought Leadership Essay Competition is important for Darley to encourage and provide visibility to current and future leaders to challenge current leadership and operational doctrine, share best practices, open discussions and highlight successes and failures. It also helps Darley stay attuned to the fire service needs by opening new lines of communication, an essential element to success in both business and in the fire service.

Quotes from 2022 Judges