Leadership from the bottom refers to the example that the probationary firefighter, or the intern, or the recruit or whoever can set by doing his job to the fullest. By pulling more than your share you can show that old salty veteran that it is okay to be excited about your job. After all this is the greatest job. Isn't it?

Leadership from the bottom doesn't mean walking into the firehouse or classroom and talking fire like your the world's greatest fireman just because you read a Pressler or Fredericks article.

Leadership from the bottom doesn't mean whining and complaining because your on the medic and someone junior to you is on a truck.

Leadership from the bottom means accepting the work that is given to you, completing it, and asking for more.

Leadership from the bottom means doing all of the little probationary things like putting up the flag and cleaning the toilets and then helping the rest of the crew with their work.

Leadership from the bottom means training when no one else on your crew wants to.

Leadership from the bottom means showing the same intensity and enthusiasm on medical aid calls as you would on fires.

Leadership from the bottom means NEVER, EVER letting the nay Sayers and the burnouts diminish your love for this job.

Leadership from the bottom means never acting like you've "been there, done that." Because it doesn't matter how many fires you've fought or calls you've run, what matters is how you do on the next one.

Leadership from the bottom means you understand that and that you don't rest on who you are or what you've done.

Leadership from the bottom means that when you are no longer at the bottom you remember that you were once and that you treat the new person on the bottom with respect.

Leadership from the bottom means that when you are in a position to lead others that you do it by your actions and not by what it says on your t-shirt or by the color of your helmet.

AND FINALLY, Leadership from the bottom means that no matter where in the ladder  you fall you can always teach and you can always learn.