A King Without a Crown
Beyond the Sirens Created Image
The Myth of the Crown
Leadership isn’t about the color of your helmet or stripes on your collar. It’s not about the title you hold, the office you sit in, or the vehicle you drive. Leadership is how you carry yourself, especially when no one is watching.
"You do not require to have ranks on your collar or the infamous red officer’s helmet in order to be someone worth following."
In Fire, EMS, and Police services, we've all seen how ego poisons team effectiveness. The loudest person in the room is rarely the most capable. Real leadership is silent, present, and intentional. It’s not born — it’s built. And it demands a willingness to abandon your ego.
Chapter 1: From Ego to Evolution
One of the greatest transitions a leader must make is from ego to humility. That means:
Admitting you don't know everything
Accepting mistakes as learning tools
Observing what others do right, and wrong
“Leadership development can start as early as you're ready to accept the fact that you don’t know everything and never will.”
You grow when you shift to the forever student mindset. One fire officer once told me:
"A newly appointed LT has the most increased chance of making overly aggressive or inexperienced decisions that lead to on-duty injury or death."
That’s not a dig at new leaders. It’s a call to preparation and self-awareness. Leadership isn’t just about confidence, it’s about competence anchored in reflection.
Chapter 2: The Ego-Driven Leader
There’s a type of leader far more dangerous than the absentee one, the egomaniac. These are the authoritarian figures who rely on a one-size-fits-all, degrading leadership style. They mistake fear for respect.
"I’m always a supporter of a good kick in the ass when it’s necessary, but being a one-trick pony doesn’t jive with my interpretation of a leader."
True leaders are adaptable, malleable, and aware of their limitations. The most dangerous thing a leader can say is “I’ve got it all figured out.” That hubris gets people hurt. Or worse.
Chapter 3: Accountability Above All
Accountability is the anchor of good leadership. Jocko Willink's Extreme Ownership says it best:
“Regardless of situation, outcome, or personality conflicts — it’s your fault.”
That’s not a guilt trip. It’s an invitation to self-improve.
Did you communicate clearly?
Did you empower your team or micromanage them into paralysis?
Did you see what was coming, or did your ego blind you?
The answers to these questions guide you toward growth, but only if you're willing to ask them honestly.
Chapter 4: A Fractured System
Why do we need strong leaders now more than ever? Because the system is cracking:
Staffing shortages
Burnout and mental health crises
Poor funding and training
Loss of experienced personnel
These problems aren’t theoretical. They’re visible. They're real.
"These men and women break their bodies, battle cancer risks, and endure emotional trauma. Some are treated like numbers in a seat, not human beings."
The price of poor leadership in Fire/EMS isn’t measured in profits or efficiency — it's measured in lives.
Chapter 5: Leadership Is a Lifestyle
Leadership is not a quota or a box to check — it’s how you live, train, think, and treat people. Some of the best leaders I’ve had didn’t have formal rank. They had something more powerful:
Integrity
Vision
Empathy
"Being a leader in this profession is not just about meeting quotas and deadlines. It’s life and death."
Those old-school firefighters and medics who raised me believed that once you take this job, you forfeit your right to be lazy, unfit, or apathetic. That mentality may seem extreme — but our job is.
Chapter 6: Who Are You Following?
So who’s your example? Are you surrounding yourself with leaders worth emulating?
Shut up and listen
Ask the right questions
Learn the why, not just the what
"No one is impressed you passed school. We all did. Now, how do you carry that knowledge forward?"
True leaders are silent professionals. They don’t wave flags or boast titles. They serve, invest, teach, and show up when it counts.
"When your chief is willing to get in the trenches with you, allow you to self-govern under guidance, and invests beyond the bare minimum, you will follow that leader to the end."
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a crown to lead. But you do need:
Accountability
Humility
Self-awareness
And above all, a relentless hunger to improve
We are in a crisis of leadership in public safety. The only way out is through, through investment in yourself and those beside you. Not with ego. But with example.
"Be a king without a crown. Lead by how you show up — not by what you’re called."
——> Want to dive deeper into leadership for Fire/EMS/Police professionals? Download our free leadership self-assessment worksheet and join our next live webinar on "Tactical Leadership for First Responders." Stay connected, your crew deserves the best version of you.
