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Published Date: 01.09.2012

The following article on the differences between leadership and management is by Michel DeLisle, a firefighter and candidate for a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership. Information on how to participate in her study of leadership in the fire service is provided at the end.

Leadership & Management:  What IS the difference?
By Michel DeLisle

There are many thoughts on leadership; is one born a leader or can one learn to be a leader? Is leadership based upon the person, the situation, or a combination of the two? What does leadership mean in the fire service? Is a good leader always a good officer?

As one looks to move from firefighter to lieutenant and onward, developing a personal style of leadership is important; even more important, however, is making sure that this style meshes with the philosophy of the chiefs and superior officers in the organization. Navigating this path to being a successful and respected officer is made more difficult by the addition of management responsibilities. Many individuals mistakenly confuse being a good manager with being a strong leader. The skill sets are different, but not mutually exclusive. It is possible to be a strong leader, a competent manager, or both.

Let’s explore some very basic differences between leadership and management.

Leadership
 

• Establishes direction by determining what the organization/crew/house is doing and why
• Aligns the group by clearly sharing that direction and reason
• Motivates and inspires its personnel to move in that direction
• Establishes accountability measures and consequences for failure

Management

• Internalizes the direction and determines how the group will get there
• Plans & budgets as necessary for that movement
• Establishes the staff structure and responsibility required for the end goal
• Sets realistic timelines based upon the above responsibilities
• Controls the pace
• Problem solves as the group moves forward in the direction established by leadership

Everyone familiar with the structure of the fire service realizes that management opportunities occur on a daily, sometimes even hourly basis. True leadership opportunities may occur more rarely for the line officer, but recognizing and capitalizing on them is key to establishing oneself as a capable and respected officer. Recognizing methods for performing duties more efficiently, identifying situations that require troubleshooting, heading off future issues with rules or policy, or establishing the objectives of fire attack all require the elements of leadership. Failure to recognize these opportunities can have varying effects on the perceptions of others toward one’s competency. A failure to troubleshoot may go unnoticed or redeem itself with problem solving further down the line. A failure to establish a sound objective for fire attack can have more serious results.

On the other hand, a proficiency in verbal and written communications, report entry, supply inventory, and other management skills can appear to make a strong officer and reduce interaction with superiors due to the need for remediation. A failure to consistently perform these duties results in undue attention from the same officers.

Training and preparing for these dual skill sets can be daunting and no set path or model has been universally determined for the fire service. Before embarking on the preparation path, it can be helpful to take the following steps:

• Meet with one’s immediate superior to determine one’s own strengths and weaknesses
• Meet with a member from a past evaluating committee or an established chief for a checklist of desired qualities for a successful officer candidate in one’s organization
• Compare one’s strengths and weaknesses to the list for a successful officer candidate
• Establish a plan for addressing any deficiencies

By starting with these four steps, one can eliminate duplication of effort, make the best use of personal time, and insure that one’s preparation is in philosophical alignment with that of the department prior to beginning the promotional process. Combining these steps with an understanding of the differences between leadership and management will allow one to train for department specific management skills and begin honing natural leadership tendencies into a personal style that works well within one’s organization. Whether one is an officer or simply an integral part of a fire or EMS crew, these skills will enhance the performance of the entire group.

Author’s Note:  If you would like to be part of a comprehensive study on the integration of leadership styles in forming successful officer development plans, please complete a short survey on leadership in the fire service at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fireserviceleadershipsurvey

Michel DeLisle is a Lieutenant for the Wauwatosa Fire Department & an honorary lifetime member of the North Prairie Volunteer Fire Department. She teaches leadership development, group dynamics, and transformational change at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha and is finishing research on a Master’s thesis regarding leadership in the fire service. 

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