This class is based on lessons learned in graduate organizational sociology and years of teaching, mentoring, and work as a step-up company officer in the fire department. It is based on the concept that instead of focusing on the best performers and lowest performers in your organization, leaving a large group in the middle that remains stagnant, you should instead redefine your expectations to improve the entire department. By changing your definition of average, then empowering members of your department to achieve these defined expectations, you change the culture of your department and pull up the performance of all members. This focus on empowerment and passion changes the culture of the department to view training and education as not something you have to do but something that is woven into the very fabric of the organization. The three keys to this are setting clearly defined expectations, giving members the tools and time to achieve them, and holding everyone accountable.