Either consciously or subconsciously, people naturally seek out flow experiences in their lives. Being in a flow state makes one feel authentic, giving the feeling that one is working at his or her highest potential. This is the essence of why flow matters. The stories collected in my research demonstrated a positive correlation between being in a flow state and making appropriate decisions. However, that correlation is dependent on training, preparation, and experience.
The firefighters I spoke with related that being in a flow state actually enhanced their abilities to respond appropriately. Training, preparation, and experience are staples in public service in varying degrees. The more leadership commits to training and preparation, the more likely the leader’s team will experience flow when the situation warrants it.
There is a great deal of discussion in public service about situational awareness. Being consciously aware of your surroundings, of yourself...