Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In Command of Guardians: Executive Servant Leadership for the Community of Responders, 2nd Edition, builds upon servant leadership works that focus on the first responder professions. This new edition expands the impact and practice of servant leadership at the executive chief officer level. The book utilizes the characteristics of servant leadership identified by Dr. Larry Spears as a foundation for presenting the positive influence servant leadership has on responders and response organizations. Each chapter goes in-depth on the individual characteristics, the influence they have on responders, the power the philosophy has in overcoming toxic leadership practices, and the successes realized by becoming servant leaders in the first responder professions. The purpose of the text is to build upon the first edition in order to expand the discussion. This proposed edition takes the philosophy of servant leadership directly to the executive level of leadership within first responder agencies.
The purpose of the Second Edition is to expand the chapters by spotlighting servant leadership research and discoveries within first responder professions. These findings strengthen the argument for bringing servant leadership into the first responder career fields as a way to heal and serve the guardians. In addition, this revised edition will increase the conceptual ideas within existing chapters, delving deeper into the synergy between servant leadership philosophy and what brings the individuals to the professions. In addition, there are three new chapters: The Responder's Cycle of Trust, Fostering Responder Servant-Followership, and Servant Leadership and the Wellbeing of Responders. These chapters bring new research conducted with first responders to light as a way of increasing one's knowledge of the philosophy. Existing chapters are expanded to include more law enforcement focused areas, as well as new case studies, along with expanded reflective questions.
Synopsis
1. In Command of Guardians.- 2. Servant Leadership and the Emergency Services.- 3. Bureaucracy within the Emergency Services.- 4. The Call to Serve-The Call to Lead.- 5. The Responder's Servant Listener.- 6. The Responder's Empathetic Healer.- 7. A Servant Visionary for the Emergency Services.- 8. Becoming an Emergency Services Leader for the Greater Good.- 9. Serving the Responder's Growth.- 10. The Guardian's Cycle of Trust.- 11. Fostering Responder Servant-Followership.- 12. Servant Leadership for Building the Community of Responders.
Synopsis
In Command of Guardians: Executive Servant Leadership for the Community of Responders, Second Edition spotlights the philosophy of servant leadership and offers a pathway for strengthening first responder organizations. Responders work in high-risk, critical situations under the pressure of time and consequence. Being a responder means one must become an active player in the tragedies of others. Because these situations can change the responder over time, a special type of leader is needed to walk beside them while they navigate the realities of public safety and emergency service operations. This book illustrates how being a servant leader to these guardians allows the community of responders to strengthen their resiliency, foster individual growth, and perform at peak levels.
"The book spans a wide breadth and depth, and is written in a way that engages the reader immediately. It is packed with sensitive and wise insights, as well as eminently practical advice for today's emergency services leaders, as well as those of tomorrow."
- Emily Hough, Editor-In-Chief, Crisis Response Journal
Emotionally moving, research-based, and a compelling case for why any organization can benefit from a servant leadership organizational culture. Eric debunks the myth that servant leadership is soft and shows how the hard work of skilled servant-leaders is exactly what is needed in the alpha worlds of public safety and emergency services.
- Duane Trammell, President, Trammell McGee-Cooper & Associates, Inc"Eric Russell is a pioneer in applying the principles of servant leadership to the communities of brave police, fire, and emergency services responders. This book is destined to be a classic reference work for the field."
-Don M. Frick, PhD, Authorized Robert Greenleaf biographer and co-author of Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership: The Wisdom of Leading by Serving.
"In Command of Guardian speaks great leadership truths to first responder communities throughout the world. This is an important work for those in command of the men and woman who put their lives on the line to save others."
- Christophe Libeau, Lieutenant Colonel, Brigade de Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris