By Chief Sam DiGiovanna
As we head into March, one of the first things that pops into my mind is March Madness. March Madness is one of the most anticipated and watched events in all of sports. The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams that compete in seven rounds for the national championship. The penultimate round is known as the Final Four, when (you guessed it) only four teams are left.
Basketball championship time is the perfect time to watch the great teams compete. The best teams seem to always have that special something special, unity & cohesiveness. Most simply put, they have teamwork. Like the fire service this is what makes successful agencies tick.
Recently I read a great article on what makes teamwork within basketball teams and how it relates to the fire service. Here’s some advice on creating a crucial element of an agency’s success: Teamwork
According to many professional basketball coaches, leadership is the essential element of teamwork. It starts with the Coach or Chief and works through each person. Teams or departments can have the most talented personnel on the court or in their stations, but if there is a lack of leadership, everything falls apart.
Leadership keeps a team together. Quality leadership must have a philosophy of service, compassion, and justice. A team or agency needs to know they are loved and that their best is expected. Your job is to serve others, and there are consequences when we mistreat each other. Everyone wants fairness and strong leadership knows how to nuance fairness in a way that serves the team or department. Not everyone will be treated in the same style, but everyone will be respected.
Now that we know the Coach or Chief’s role, here are a few of your role and responsibilities.
- Teamwork = sacrifice. Individual commitment to the team/organization to sacrifice yourself for the good of the team/department. Play for the name on the front of your jersey not the back. This means playing and doing what’s right for the department and community, not your personal name on the back of your turnout coat.
- Work ethic = success. Players and department personnel effort and work ethic to improve their performance on their own will elevate the entire team or agency. Have strong work ethics with a “Service Before Self” mindset.
- Love it = live it. If you love something, you will put in the sacrifice and the long hours. Players and personnel know that the Coach or Chief believe in them and expect their very best. They should expect that from leadership. We walk on the court or into the station thankful to play or serve this amazing game, agency, and community. We love it so much we want to be the best at what we do.
Here are a few examples we heard from athletes on how to build teamwork:
- The coach, chief, captain, or each member of the organization reads a quote or policies and reviews the goals or procedures for each game or shift when they arrive at the station.
- Practices (training) are posted every day where everyone knows what is expected and what should be accomplished.
- Team breakfasts every Saturday. The most sacred place in the fire station https://lnkd.in/g3u-v9_C This builds teamwork and cohesiveness.
- Everyone had to memorize a team prayer which reminded us to play for the team, dept and community we serve not just for ourselves. Do you know and follow your organizations mission statement?
- Building fun experiences away from the court or station. Remember, you’re always on duty https://lnkd.in/gKsv8mCH Support each other on and off duty. Public safety personnel bring work home. Many times, it’s not from a good experience. Look out after each other on and off duty.
- Setting team, dept and individual goals. Never stop learning. Be a contribution to your organization. Like department policies, team goals should be reviewed and updated regularly. As the team, time and organization changes and grows, so too should the goals and policies. What might have been realistic and achievable six months ago might not be now. We live in a very fast paced world with change occurring quickly. It’s essential to stay relevant and up to date.
- Encouraging each other to become their best on and off the court or at the station. Though it may start with the Coach or the Chief, you play a role in helping each other and the organization become their best!
Teams that find success find a way to come together through great leadership, love of the game/job, fighting for a common goal or even through a shared prayer. Though it’s tournament time for basketball, championship time is year-round for public safety. Learn from the great teams what they do to compete together for the victory.
Full unedited article: https://lnkd.in/g2gps5e4
Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale, Calif. He also is a consultant for Lexipol Fire Services www.lexipol.com