The relationship of mindfulness and self-compassion to desired wildland fire leadership
Alexis L. Waldron A B and Vicki Ebbeck A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Oregon State University, Exercise and Sport Science, 123 Langton Hall, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA.
B Corresponding author. Email: lewisale@onid.oregonstate.edu
International Journal of Wildland Fire 24(2) 201-211 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF13212
Submitted: 14 December 2013 Accepted: 16 September 2014 Published: 5 January 2015
Abstract
A quantitative approach was adopted to explore facets of mindfulness and self-compassion in relation to their ability to predict crewmembers’ perceptions of their supervisors’ leadership capabilities. The sample comprised 43 wildland fire crews consisting of their primary supervisors (n = 43) and crewmembers (n = 246). A partial least-squares path modelling approach was employed to test hypotheses regarding the relationships among mindfulness, self-compassion and leadership. Findings revealed that supervisor scores on mindfulness were significant predictors of crewmember-rated scores of supervisor leadership. Although not as strong, aspects of self-compassion were also significant predictors of perceived supervisor leadership. Unlike mindfulness, the aspects of self-compassion that predicted supervisor leadership were more varied between desirable self-compassion scores and undesirable self-compassion scores. Overall, the results indicate that mindfulness and self-compassion were predictors of desired wildland fire leadership by crewmembers; these results suggest potential functions that mindfulness and self-compassion could serve in the development of leaders in wildland firefighting.
Additional keywords: Crewmember Perceived Leadership Scale, decision-making.
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