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As fire chief, I have had the opportunity to meet many people along the journey. I have found value in every interaction. I have been humbled and educated and gained new insights at other moments.

I have received many lessons on being a boss, a mentor and a coach. These lessons have created a more resilient and humble individual who is more driven than ever in his personal and professional leadership. I have learned that leadership is more than wins and losses, no matter our role as organizational leaders.

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with Coach Amber Fryklund. Although she is currently in her inaugural year as the head coach of the Bemidji State women鈥檚 hockey team.

She has considerable time invested in Bemidji State hockey, during her 10 seasons as a coach Fryklund has helped the team achieve two 20-win seasons and two WCHA Final Face-off appearances, mentoring 105 student-athletes.

As a player, Fryklund became the program鈥檚 all-time leading scorer with 122 points, was the first Beaver to reach 100 career points, and earned two All-WCHA selections. She is Bemidji State鈥檚 leading goal scorer and second in assists. In 2021, she was inducted into the Bemidji State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Fryklund is a decorated athlete and coach. After speaking with her, I found that her greatest success lies in her willingness to reflect and grow as a leader. She emphasizes that in life and hockey, we should always strive to be the best versions of ourselves 鈥� through eating, sleeping, preparing, studying and maintaining a growth mindset.

In her words, this pursuit of excellence acknowledges that failure is part of the process. We must be willing to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, meet people where they are and build connections through networking.

The game of hockey and the firefighting profession are entirely different, but they share many similarities in teamwork, adaptability and resilience. Both require coordinated group efforts where every individual plays a critical role in achieving a shared objective 鈥� winning a game in hockey or saving lives in firefighting.

Each operates in high-pressure, fast-paced environments demanding quick decision-making, effective communication, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Physical and mental toughness are essential, as both involve demands and emotional challenges. Rigorous training ensures readiness, while solid leadership fosters accountability and strategy.

Ultimately, camaraderie and trust bind teams in both fields, enabling them to overcome challenges together.

Fryklund argues that organizational culture is often seen as just a buzzword. What truly matters is how we conduct our business and communicate with one another. The statement, "I am sorry, but your actions are speaking so loudly that I can't hear what you say," underscores this point. Everything done outside of the 鈥済ame鈥� supports the mission in both hockey and public service. In other words, we must keep our focus on what truly matters.

The phrase "Keep the main thing, the main thing" highlights the importance of focusing on core priorities and not getting distracted by secondary concerns. While wins, losses, lives, and property saved are usually focused on, we must also remain dedicated to the essential missions of hockey and firefighting.

In hockey, this means focusing on teamwork, skill development, and building determination rather than solely pursuing victories. In firefighting, the focus should be on life safety, preparation, and adaptability instead of measuring success only by outcomes like property saved or response times. We should not be evaluated solely by wins and losses, as additional successes occur in education, graduation rates, training and community work.

In conclusion, I hope you can see the importance of leadership at all levels and organizations in the Bemidji area. Leadership plays an essential role in shaping the success and resilience of any team, on the ice or in the fire service.

In Bemidji, strong leaders serve as mentors, coaches and guiding forces, bringing individuals together for a common purpose while encouraging growth and adaptability. Leadership sets the tone for the values and culture that define the community by motivating athletes to work together towards a common goal or leading firefighters through life-saving tasks.

Through trust, partnership and a focus on core principles, Bemidji鈥檚 leaders ensure that their teams excel in achieving objectives and building character. Finally, this commitment to leadership transforms challenges into opportunities, providing a legacy of excellence for the city and its people.

Justin Sherwood is the fire chief at the Bemidji Fire Department. He can be reached at (218) 751-8001 or firechief@ci.bemidji.mn.us.