Synopses & Reviews
Leadership in Dangerous Situations provides in-depth coverage of the key psychological, social and organization factors that impact individual and organizational effectiveness fot First Responders in dangerous environments. Leading scholars discuss how current theories and empirical research provides guidelines to help solve the challenges leaders are likely to face in dangerous contexts. This book is directed to First Responders leaders from the Military, Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Services and Not-for profit agencies working in dangerous areas. The purpose of this book is to assist the First Responders who risk their lives to serve the public, to prepare for the unique challenges of leading and operating in dangerous situations. Dangerous situations are environments where group members must routinely engage in events that place their physical and psychological well-being at risk to accomplish the organization's objectives. International scholars and practitioners from the military, law enforcement, fire and rescue, teamed together to address the unique challenges facing dangerous context leaders. Each chapter integrates theory and research with practical experience to address the various challenges these leaders will face while operating in dangerous situations. The intent is to provide practitioners an easily understandable guide, backed by scholarly findings, to prepare themselves and their organizations for the unique psychological, social, and physical challenges of leading and operating in dangerous contexts. The blending of theory and empirical research with practical experience clearly illustrates the principles of effective leadership in dangerous contexts Whether one is a young leader preparing for war, a seasoned commander with multiple combat tours, a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team leader, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) supervisor, first line supervisor of a law enforcement patrol unit, or a lieutenant responsible for a shift of firemen, the challenges of leading people in contexts where life and death decisions are common are very similar. The purpose here is to provide the leader with a better understanding of what is required to lead in dangerous contexts. The contributing authors delve into the psychological, social, and physical factors that can impact the ability to lead, the ability of personnel to perform, and the organization's ability to accomplish the mission. In the end, the leader will take away not only a understanding of how leading in dangerous contexts is different than leading in contexts where lives are not on the line, but also gain a deeper understanding of why it differs, where commonalities occur, and - perhaps more importantly - how to prepare leaders, whether military or civilian to guide their first responder organizations to perform successfully in dangerous situations.
Synopsis
Offering the wisdom of practitioners from the military, law enforcement, fire and rescue, as well as prominent scholars this guide integrates theory and research with practical experience to help the reader prepare for the unique psychological, social, and physical challenges of leading in dangerous contexts. Whether a young soldier preparing for war, seasoned combat commander, SWAT team leader, EMT supervisor, law enforcement patrol unit leader, or fire department lieutenant, those involved in life-and-death situations face common challenges, and the authors draw on their own experiences and that of others to help first responders effectively function in dangerous environments.
About the Author
Col. Patrick Sweeney, U.S. Army, is currently serving as an Associate Professor and Director of the Eisenhower Leader Development Program in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Military Academy, West Point. He commanded 3rd Battalion, 320 Field Artillery, 101st Airborne Division, and served with the 101st during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. He lives in West Point, NY. Michael D. Matthews is currently Professor of Engineering Psychology at the United States Military Academy. He served as President of the American Psychological Association's Division of Military Psychology from 2007 to 2008 and is a Templeton Foundation Senior Positive Psychology Fellow. Collectively, his research interests center on Soldier performance in combat and other dangerous contexts. He lives in Cornwall on Hudson, NY. Capt. Paul B. Lester, U.S. Army, is currently serving as a Research Psychologist in HQDA G-3/5/7's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness directorate. His previous military assignments include Ft. Benning, Ft. Campbell, Republic of Korea, the United States Military Academy, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He lives in Arlington, VA