ABSTRACT
This chapter presents key indicators of effective emergency management leadership which may assist decision-makers in developing emergency management credentialing requirements, employee selection and promotion criteria, as well as formalized emergency management and emergency management leadership training and education programs. These structural attributes and requisite assessment tools may be useful in developing emergency management leaders who are able to effectively lead within the complex environments of disasters as well as identifying star performers within the profession. The meta-leadership framework is presented within this chapter as a best practice that facilitates star performance as it provides tools that are conceptually and practically rigorous so that emergency management leaders are better equipped to act and direct others in emergency situations. Meta-leadership is currently being used by leaders in the fields of homeland security, emergency preparedness and response, and public health in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
