If you’re a first responder with a Lion personality, you are naturally drawn to leadership roles and decisive action. Understanding both the strengths and challenges of your personality type can make you a more effective first responder. Let’s dive into how Lion traits manifest in your career.
Positive Manifestations
Command Presence
- Taking immediate control at chaotic scenes, establishing clear command posts, and delegating tasks without hesitation
- Confidently directing crews during size-up: “Engine 1, take the front. Engine 2, back them up with water supply.”
- Making quick, life-saving decisions during rapidly evolving incidents
Initiative
- Being the first to identify and address potential hazards at a scene
- Proactively developing new training scenarios for your crew
- Stepping up to lead when a situation suddenly deteriorates
Results-Driven Approach
- Pushing for better response times through efficient protocols
- Setting clear expectations for equipment checks and maintenance
- Establishing measurable goals for training
Change Implementation
- Championing new firefighting techniques based on latest research
- Updating outdated standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Introducing innovative equipment or technology to improve operations
Negative Manifestations
Poor Listening Skills
- Cutting off experienced engineers during tactical planning
- Dismissing valuable input from seasoned firefighters
- Missing crucial scene details by talking over radio traffic
Impatience
- Rushing through truck checks
- Getting frustrated with probationary firefighters learning new skills
- Showing irritation when medical patients tell lengthy stories during assessment
Domineering Behavior
- Taking over other officers’ scenes without proper transfer of command
- Micromanaging engineers during pump operations
- Refusing to delegate tasks during station duties
Overlooking People
- Focusing on the fire attack while ignoring crew fatigue
- Prioritizing incident resolution over crew member’s emotional well-being after tough calls
- Dismissing the importance of post-incident debriefings
Tips for Lion Leaders in the Fire Service
Harness Your Strengths
- Use your decisive nature during true emergencies
- Channel your drive for results into department improvements
- Apply your change-oriented mindset to modernize operations
- Leverage your confidence to mentor future leaders
Mitigate Your Weaknesses
- Implement a personal “pause and listen” rule during non-emergency operations
- Practice patience during training sessions
- Actively seek input from all crew members during planning
- Schedule regular check-ins with team members to build relationships
Real-World Example
Consider this scenario: Your crew responds to a working structure fire with trapped occupants. As a Lion, your immediate instinct to take charge and act serves you well in the initial moments – you establish command, deploy crews strategically, and coordinate the rescue operation.
However, your Lion tendencies might create problems if you:
- Dismiss a veteran firefighter’s warning about deteriorating conditions
- Rush interior crews too quickly without proper support in place
- Overlook signs of crew exhaustion in pursuit of the objective
Becoming a Better Leader
To maximize your Lion personality’s effectiveness:
- Acknowledge your natural leadership abilities while remaining open to others’ expertise
- Balance your quick decision-making with thoughtful consideration of crew input
- Maintain your high standards while showing patience with learning and development
- Channel your results-oriented nature into both operational and interpersonal success
Your Lion personality is an asset to the fire service – particularly during high-stakes emergencies requiring quick, decisive action. By understanding and actively managing both the strengths and weaknesses of your personality type, you can become an even more effective leader for your department.
Remember, being aware of your Lion tendencies is the first step toward leveraging them appropriately. Not every situation requires the Lion’s roar – sometimes, it’s more effective to lead with a quieter approach while maintaining your natural strength and confidence.
The best fire service leaders know when to unleash their Lion and when to tame it. Your challenge is to master this balance, creating a leadership style that brings out the best in both yourself and your crew.