Over the years, we have had the privilege of participating in various forms of leadership training. Some have been excellent, while others left more to be desired.

Below, I’ll walk through a few examples of courses I’ve taken and explain how we have used those experiences to shape our own curriculum—a blend of several different approaches.

High-Energy Keynotes – Fast and Upbeat!

I’ll start with the type of lecture that lasts an hour or two and moves at maximum speed. In one particular case, I recall a very charismatic guest speaker. He was a skilled orator, but the delivery was based on the idea that there is one single “truth” that must be presented with absolute authority.

While that concept is entertaining and sparks immediate thoughts and emotions, it gives me very little in the long run. I know that my daily reality is far more complex than a high-energy keynote suggests. With that in mind, we have strived to find a balance in our training: offering multiple perspectives and providing concrete tools for moving forward. We’ve also kept the entertainment value in mind—after all, learning is more effective when it’s engaging!

University-Level Education

The most recent major course I completed was Organization and Leadership at a local university. In many ways, this was the opposite of a flashy keynote, focusing heavily on fundamental theories.

The lectures were often somewhat dry, with the primary focus on self-study and literature. Another drawback was the duration—part-time studies over a full year—which makes it difficult for many professionals to fit into their schedules. (I managed thanks to shift work and specific days off).

However, what I truly appreciated was the depth. The instructors didn’t take sides on “right or wrong”; instead, they offered various perspectives for us to evaluate and draw our own conclusions from. I also valued the scientific approach.

What we’ve integrated from the academic world:

• Impartiality: We aim to mirror that objective approach and base our content on science and established theory.
• Modern Formats: We’ve realized that text-heavy PowerPoints aren’t always the best way to learn, so we’ve opted for video and more dynamic formats instead.
• Flexibility: The ability to study remotely and at your own pace is crucial. Our format allows you to re-watch a lecture or skip a task that doesn’t feel relevant to your specific situation.
• Optimal Depth: Finding the right balance is a challenge, but we’ve worked hard to provide a solid foundation without requiring weeks of full-time work.

The Experts – Deep Technical Knowledge

Training is often built around the person with the most expertise, regardless of whether they have practical experience in the field or the ability to package that information effectively.

We will be the first to admit: we are not the world’s leading academic experts on, say, motivation or labor law. What we are good at is seeing the big picture and translating theory into practice. Our module on motivation isn’t based on our own primary research; it’s based on the theories we’ve studied, combined with our practical experience as managers and operational commanders within the fire and rescue services. That combination of theory and practice is our core philosophy.

Coming Up Next

In the next post, we’ll take a closer look at why motivation is so vital in modern organizations. What are the consequences of low versus high motivation, and can you actually influence it?

Want to start today? Our training is available at www.fireeducation.se. It is a science-based program that you can access for just $29 (excl. VAT).