这个月的s question could actually fill a textbook. However, the intent is to be narrow in scope-kind of a “down and dirty” advice column. Becoming a new firefighter is a blessing. Just keep your nose clean, and listen. Becoming a company officer is a challenge. Becoming a chief officer is a career-altering experience-like becoming a parent, except that that is a life-altering experience as opposed to a career-altering experience.
My advice is to lead by example. One of the biggest pitfalls a newly promoted chief can fall into is the “Don’t do as I do, do as I say” syndrome. How can you gain the respect of anyone if you act in a manner you would not tolerate in your crews? If there are rules, follow them. If your crews are required to wear an SCBA inside, wear your SCBA inside, and so on.
Also, as in the case of company officers, do your job. The city isn’t paying you to be liked. You are getting paid to supervise company officers. If you’re lucky enough to be able to do your job in a way that you are still liked, that’s a bonus.
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