To kick off this week's feature for Women in City Leadership is Lieutenant Loren Bewley with the Nicholasville Fire Department. Here is what Lt. Loren had to say:
I serve as Lieutenant with the Nicholasville Fire Department. I have been at the department for 7 years and in my position for 2. I am currently at Station 1 (Downtown) and ride Engine 1. As a Lieutenant I am in charge of Station 1 and my two crew members for my shift. Including setting up daily trainings, running public education details, station maintenance chores, scheduling inspections and commander on single company calls. I am also responsible for ensuring my crew members remain safe, are trained and ready to respond.
The leadership traits that are most valuable to me are being respectful, honest and a problem solver. There are a million traits a leader can have, but I have noticed if you can find a leader with those three then he/she will usually possess many of the others.
Respect is treating all people, whether above or below in rank, with dignity and compassion. A leader doesn’t demand respect but earns it by valuing and trusting the people that work under her/him.
Honesty is admirable. If someone is willing to tell you the truth, no matter how difficult it is, there is respect gained. Too often people will side step the truth, add half-truths in or just avoid it. With honesty comes the ability to own up to your own mistakes too. Knowing that the person you work under is willing to admit fault instead of playing the blame game is an underrated trait in my eyes.
Finally, the ability to problem solve. Not everything is cut and dry, it is important to be able to use your resources to improvise if need be. It is easy to stop and complain when something does not go right or a plan fails. True leadership is displayed when you find a way to improvise, adapt and overcome instead of.
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The best advice I have ever received is “to know your worth.” Working through the ranks of any position you will be deal with lots of adversity, especially in fields that have been predominantly male. Never be afraid to ask for something you have earned, whether that be a raise or a promotion. Stand your ground and know your worth.
Outside of work I enjoy outdoor activities. I love hiking with my dog, kayaking, snowboarding or sitting on the back patio around a fire pit. I also serve as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Transylvania University (Go Pios!) so in the winter I am pretty consumed with our season when I am not working at the Fire Department.
A few lessons I can share as a female leader are to be confident in your abilities and lead without being “the boss.” If you know how to do your job, are confident in your abilities, and able to have a strong presence with your crew, people will see you as the leader you are. Understand without the people under you, you would not be in your position. You are there to serve them just as much as they are there to serve you. Value them and they will value you in return.
Original source can be found here.
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