Beyond the Warrior Mentality: Fostering a Guardian Mindset Through Cultural Humility
Tracks
Prince and Virtual via OnAIR
| Tuesday, March 4, 2025 |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Prince Room |
Overview
Melinda McDonald and Alexandra Bryant, Fire and Rescue NSW
Presenter
Qualified Firefighter Alexandra Bryant
Wellbeing Officer
Fire and Rescue NSW
Beyond the Warrior Mentality: Fostering a Guardian Mindset Through Cultural Humility
Presentation Overview
As the landscape of emergency management continues to evolve, the traditional paramilitary, masculinised culture that once dominated the sector is increasingly at odds with the demands of rapid changes in economic, social and cultural factors. This presentation explores the limitations of this legacy culture, particularly its detrimental impact on mental health and well-being among emergency service personnel. Drawing on insights from the caring and helping professions, we argue for the adoption of cultural humility as a leadership practice that aligns more closely with the needs of today’s diverse and dynamic workforce.
Cultural humility, rooted in self-reflection, respect, and the fostering of genuine relationships, offers a pathway to building more inclusive and supportive organisational cultures. Through a detailed exploration of the 5Rs—Reflection, Respect, Regard, Relevance, Resiliency—this presentation will provide practical guidance for integrating cultural humility into leadership practice. By embracing this approach, leaders can not only enhance well-being on the frontlines but also position their organisations to better meet the complex challenges of the future.
This session will present a compelling case for moving beyond the warrior mentality, offering a vision for a guardian mindset – through a more inclusive, person-centred culture. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical examples, we will demonstrate how cultural humility can serve as a catalyst for lasting organisational change, ultimately contributing to the resilience and effectiveness of frontline responders.
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Moving Beyond the Warrior Mentality: This session highlights the limitations of traditional paramilitary culture and advocates for a shift towards a guardian mindset, focusing on the well-being and mental health of emergency service personnel.
2. Understanding the 5Rs of Cultural Humility: Attendees will gain a deep understanding of the 5Rs—Reflection, Respect, Regard, Relevance, Resiliency—and how these principles foster inclusive and supportive organisational cultures.
Cultural humility, rooted in self-reflection, respect, and the fostering of genuine relationships, offers a pathway to building more inclusive and supportive organisational cultures. Through a detailed exploration of the 5Rs—Reflection, Respect, Regard, Relevance, Resiliency—this presentation will provide practical guidance for integrating cultural humility into leadership practice. By embracing this approach, leaders can not only enhance well-being on the frontlines but also position their organisations to better meet the complex challenges of the future.
This session will present a compelling case for moving beyond the warrior mentality, offering a vision for a guardian mindset – through a more inclusive, person-centred culture. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical examples, we will demonstrate how cultural humility can serve as a catalyst for lasting organisational change, ultimately contributing to the resilience and effectiveness of frontline responders.
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Moving Beyond the Warrior Mentality: This session highlights the limitations of traditional paramilitary culture and advocates for a shift towards a guardian mindset, focusing on the well-being and mental health of emergency service personnel.
2. Understanding the 5Rs of Cultural Humility: Attendees will gain a deep understanding of the 5Rs—Reflection, Respect, Regard, Relevance, Resiliency—and how these principles foster inclusive and supportive organisational cultures.
Biography
Alexandra Bryant brings her unique expertise to frontline discussions on mental health and wellbeing in emergency services. Currently a Wellbeing Officer at Fire and Rescue NSW, she previously served as an operational firefighter and aerial platform operator at the City of Sydney Fire Station. With 20 years of social work experience in emergency departments, intensive care, and a hospital mortuary, Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Policy Administration and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Sydney.
Qualified Firefighter Melinda McDonald
Senior Organisational Development Advisor
Fire and Rescue NSW
Beyond the Warrior Mentality: Fostering a Guardian Mindset Through Cultural Humility
Presentation Overview
As the landscape of emergency management continues to evolve, the traditional paramilitary, masculinised culture that once dominated the sector is increasingly at odds with the demands of rapid changes in economic, social and cultural factors. This presentation explores the limitations of this legacy culture, particularly its detrimental impact on mental health and well-being among emergency service personnel. Drawing on insights from the caring and helping professions, we argue for the adoption of cultural humility as a leadership practice that aligns more closely with the needs of today’s diverse and dynamic workforce.
Cultural humility, rooted in self-reflection, respect, and the fostering of genuine relationships, offers a pathway to building more inclusive and supportive organisational cultures. Through a detailed exploration of the 5Rs—Reflection, Respect, Regard, Relevance, Resiliency—this presentation will provide practical guidance for integrating cultural humility into leadership practice. By embracing this approach, leaders can not only enhance well-being on the frontlines but also position their organisations to better meet the complex challenges of the future.
This session will present a compelling case for moving beyond the warrior mentality, offering a vision for a guardian mindset – through a more inclusive, person-centred culture. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical examples, we will demonstrate how cultural humility can serve as a catalyst for lasting organisational change, ultimately contributing to the resilience and effectiveness of frontline responders.
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Moving Beyond the Warrior Mentality: This session highlights the limitations of traditional paramilitary culture and advocates for a shift towards a guardian mindset, focusing on the well-being and mental health of emergency service personnel.
2. Understanding the 5Rs of Cultural Humility: Attendees will gain a deep understanding of the 5Rs—Reflection, Respect, Regard, Relevance, Resiliency—and how these principles foster inclusive and supportive organisational cultures.
Cultural humility, rooted in self-reflection, respect, and the fostering of genuine relationships, offers a pathway to building more inclusive and supportive organisational cultures. Through a detailed exploration of the 5Rs—Reflection, Respect, Regard, Relevance, Resiliency—this presentation will provide practical guidance for integrating cultural humility into leadership practice. By embracing this approach, leaders can not only enhance well-being on the frontlines but also position their organisations to better meet the complex challenges of the future.
This session will present a compelling case for moving beyond the warrior mentality, offering a vision for a guardian mindset – through a more inclusive, person-centred culture. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical examples, we will demonstrate how cultural humility can serve as a catalyst for lasting organisational change, ultimately contributing to the resilience and effectiveness of frontline responders.
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Moving Beyond the Warrior Mentality: This session highlights the limitations of traditional paramilitary culture and advocates for a shift towards a guardian mindset, focusing on the well-being and mental health of emergency service personnel.
2. Understanding the 5Rs of Cultural Humility: Attendees will gain a deep understanding of the 5Rs—Reflection, Respect, Regard, Relevance, Resiliency—and how these principles foster inclusive and supportive organisational cultures.
Biography
Having transitioned from a corporate role to a second career phase as an operational firefighter – Melinda McDonald has combined her expertise in communications and a passion for community safety to make a lasting impact. As a 2023 Churchill Fellow and current PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney, her research leverages learnings from the caring professions to highlight the role of organisational culture in fostering a more inclusive, capable, and socially impactful fire service. Melinda currently serves as Vice President of Women and Firefighting Australasia, contributing to the advancement of women in the fire services.
Moderator
Rachel Dempster
Program & Research Manager
Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association
Shinade Hartman
Virtual Manager
AST Management
Lise Saunders
Conference Coordinator / Virtual Manager
AST Management
Justine White
Event Manager
AST Management
