One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Passion

Article by Paul Wind, Battalion Chief (Retired), Wes Hill, Fire Chief, and Jeremy Rebok, Fire Chief

On an early morning walk through my community, I noticed a house that had placed its trash by the curb. It immediately caught my eye: a small motivational plaque titled "Passion." It made me think about the symbolic nature of the image.  Did the owners lose their "passion?" If so, how bad could it be that they had to kick it to the curb?  

During my walk, I found myself reflecting on my own life. Although my first thoughts went to my current state of affairs with my health and business, I found myself pushing back to my 16-year-old person. I reminisced about my passion, enthusiasm, and eagerness for my work in emergency services. I was a sponge to my environment and wanted to know and do more. Although the terminology of mentorship was foreign in 1988 (or at least to me), I surrounded myself with peers and other pros in the business (and many still on the job today). I admired their passion and dedication to their craft. I realized that those I admired and the mentors I acknowledged molded me throughout my career. They shaped me and kept my passion alive.

As I concluded my walk, I felt re-energized, and another level of passion was ignited. I couldn't help but be excited and had to share it with two of my mentors. I asked them to look at the picture and add their point of view…

Here is what they said: 

Wes Hill 

The first time I saw this photo, I thought, “Oh, a picture tells a million words.”  Agreed the “passion” sign is the first thing that grabs my eye.  However, my leadership curiosity shifted my attention to the chair.  When I allowed myself to see the bigger picture, the chair became the focal point of interest—reminding me of my people and how everyone has a role to play within the organization.  As a leader, my priority is to inspire a shared purpose within the team.  Understanding that “passion” comes and goes like the wind.  The role of the leader is to help their people find their true purpose within themselves so that their passion organically develops within the team.   

Over the years, my passion for the fire service has changed based on my role within the organization and my life experiences at home.  My days of riding fire trucks are over; it’s about my people.  Ensuring they are cared for and using my influence to lead the organization into the next chapter.  People need mentors and leaders in their lives to navigate them through the daily whirlwind.  They need someone to bring balance into their life and provide some wisdom to navigate them to the next mile marker. 

It’s easy to say you have an open-door policy for your people, but have you considered having an open “chair” policy?  Remove the clutter off that chair and create a welcoming environment where your people feel valued.  So much can be gained from the time spent in the chair.  Let your people speak; listen to what they have to say.  Be the leader they need to navigate them through the “noise” blocking them from finding their true purpose and passions. 

John Maxwell says it best, “A leader’s value is measured by succession.”  To build an organizational culture that lives on, you must invest and lead your people.  I realize my passion for why I joined the fire service will not be the same as the next person who starts this journey.  But I know one thing is for certain: everyone will need a mentor to guide them along their journey—someone who can remove their leadership “lid” and inspire them to see the bigger picture.  So, when they pass that “box of trash” along the curb, their leadership wisdom will naturally engage and clean off the chair for the next generation.  

  Jeremy Rebok  

~ Passion Drives Influence ~ 

Reflecting on leadership and influence over the last several weeks has brought some serious discussions to the forefront. I have had the opportunity to lead a class full of professionals striving to better themselves for a common mission, bridging gaps through professional mentorship. 

Professional mentorship, open dialogue, and transparency are great ways to grow professionally and personally as a leader. At a recent training session, I asked the audience, “How many of you have a mentor or mentors?” I was shocked at how many people did not have a mentor; this drove a meaningful discussion on the importance of how influence shapes leaders and people. 

Influence is a real characteristic of looking at yourself in a mirror and truly reflecting on your “why”. When you have an answer to your “why,” you have a roadmap for your influence. Now, influence can be good or bad, but we must strive to positively influence those we are surrounded by. Influential leaders are driven by a passion for something they believe in, which results in their “why.”  

As an influential leader passionate about serving others, you can significantly impact other people’s lives and careers. The biggest reward for those who influence others should be watching those around you succeed. My passion is the fire service, but that bleeds over into being a servant leader to others because public safety is a team sport, just like holding a position as a 911 dispatcher, county commissioner, EMT/Paramedic, police officer, sports coach, and the list goes on and on and on! 

There is a common misconception out there in the world of leadership, and that is said, “it’s lonely at the top”. I am here to say it doesn’t have to be that way. You choose your passion, which defines your “why”, and that ultimately will drive your influence.   

What are you doing to influence others?