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Writer's picturePaul Wind

Be a Good Human, Make an Impact

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Wes Hill

Fire Chief – Fort Riley Fire & Emergency Services


Over my past twenty years of federal civilian service, I have watched many leaders come and go. It’s not too often that we have leaders who make a strong impact on your leadership outlook, but more importantly, the impact they leave on the people and community they proudly serve. As leaders, we must always be in a state of personal growth and development. My personal experiences have determined that we must be able to reflect on the influences of our influential leaders by mastering the ability to acknowledge the impact of others. Through transparency and humility, leaders can identify and implement many reasons for self-improvement and growth. We could inspire others to seek the same growth through mentorship, reflecting on our own experiences, and striving to positively impact future leaders.


On July 9, 2024, Fort Riley actioned a long historical Army tradition known as The Change of Command – Change of Responsibility. This is when the new Garrison Commander and Command Sergeant Major took the reins and began leading an installation's civilian workforce. For the last two years, COL Michael J. Foote and CSM Jason R. Poulin mastered this role by displaying extraordinary and impactful skills by leading the installation through change and providing wisdom that allowed others to make an impact and inspire them to grow as leaders. I could write a novel on how these two highly successful Army Leaders impacted myself and my organization, but to keep this simple, I chose to highlight three key leadership lessons learned.


1. The Human Factor: Leadership is fundamentally about people. Easily stated, but to put into endured actionable success, takes a resilient leader dedicated to servant leadership. Every decision, directive, and plan impacts the individual. When crises arise, the character of the leader is what leads the people through the fog. Great leaders emphasize empathy, respect, and compassion to ensure they create an environment where their team feels valued and supported. This created a legacy where the value of their leadership is measured by their followers and subsequently their successes to transform into leaders.


2. Know your audience before you speak: Authentic leaders champion the ability to connect with their audience. People are emotionally attracted to the vision you are casting and the action you create. Connection is achieved when you show you genuinely care about their needs and want to help them—by Recognizing their strengths, challenges, and aspirations and then adapting to create a common ground. Championing this ability allows your message to resonate deeply and inspire action within your audience.


3. Take care of yourself - Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually: A leader’s ability to care for their team is directly linked to their ability to care for themselves. Without self-care, your leadership will fail. Each one of these subtopics are so in-depth and critical to sustaining success. To briefly summarize, a leader’s;


a. Physical fitness is essential for maintaining the critical energy and stamina required to lead effectively. Leadership is HARD – if not, you should reevaluate the Human Factor talking points.


b. Mental well-being ensures leaders can think clearly, make sound decisions, and handle daunting stress. Decision Fatigue is a real thing that demoralizes average leaders. Have the strength to remove the leadership fog and stay on point when crisis arises.


c. Spiritual health, whether through personal reflection, meditation, or other means, provides a sense of purpose and grounding. Everyone invests in this area differently. For me, the firehouse kitchen table is my reflection area. Having a cup of coffee and conversation goes a long way. I encourage you to listen over speak. Seek pride in your people's words and visions for the future.


In the end, being vulnerable enough to raise the flag and seek help is a sign of strength, not weakness. By prioritizing your well-being, you set a powerful example for your team, underscoring the importance of holistic health in achieving sustainable success.

Leadership is an art, a science, and a journey. I could expand on these more, but one who truly cherishes their leadership growth can already see how this applies to their current life and state. They are already formulating ideas on how to change within themselves, their team, and beyond. This is the power of leadership. Influence impacts everyone differently but is often confirmed when we share our inspirations and feelings with our team. We grow together, creating a strong team for tomorrow.


I’m extremely grateful for the wisdom gained over the past two years. You inspired us to perform better for those who came before us and those who are yet to come. The two of you inspired a strong work ethic, ensuring we leave things better than we found them and just being a GOOD HUMAN. While these are simple leadership philosophies, I feel these need to be heard to inspire growth in those willing to listen.


Thank you, and God’s speed in your next chapter of life.


<Pictured: CSM Jason R. Poulin and COL Michael J. Foote>



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