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"I often think about what makes someone a good leader. You hear words like empathy, compassion, that they are good communicators; they are passionate about what they do. To me, all those things make a person a leader."
Tina Cook, coordinator of fire training at Harrisburg Area Community College and a firefighter for over 20 years, recently spoke to the Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Co.'s annual banquet, sharing her thoughts on leadership.
While we agree with much of what she said, we are tempted to take it a bit further: Empathy, good communications skills, passion for what one does not only make good leaders -- they are traits that make good citizens and good neighbors.
But then, good citizens and good neighbors, when the need arises, accept the responsibilities of leadership.
"You don't have to hold a title to have an impact on a life. You just have to show that you care. Be a role model, be a cheerleader for someone, support them in what they do. Think about how you can make someone's idea better," Cook told the crowd at the banquet.
We hope Cook's words -- and her example -- can inspire everyone to practice more empathy, to contemplate how they can more effectively communicate, to recognize when their communities and neighborhoods need role models and cheerleaders.
We believe in our communities. We believe that if we all strive to exemplify the traits Cook shared with firefighters and their families our communities can be even better.
-- Williamsport Sun-Gazette