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Leaders Lead And Buddies Bud, What Are You?
Posted On 22 Mar 2014
When transitioning from firefighter to officer, the first thing we have to realize is we are now the leader first and friend second. If you want to remain buddies with everyone, then don’t take the position of officer. The crews need a leader and a leader leads.
Before you make a decision to be an officer, realize that you will have to be a leader and you will have to do leader stuff. Leader stuff is going to upset some of your buddies so if you can’t or don’t want to do leader stuff, stay in the buddy position and be a bud.
Now, if you want to be an officer and a respected leader then, like my friend Frank Viscuso stays, “STEP Up and Lead”.
Here Are 5 Ways:
- Let them know that you love them and respect them, but you are the leader now and you will do leader stuff.
- Decide to lead by influence and do it. This will allow you to be respected and loved as a leader. Realize that this is different than buddy love and respect.
- Set the expectations for your crew and let them know that if they break those expectations, they will be held accountable.
- Realize that you will be tested. So anticipate it and respond quickly. Be strong and be fair. This shows you mean business and that you have no favorites.
- Continue to study other great leaders of influence and emulate them.
See you in the comments below.
Thanks you Mr Soler for an inspiring post, its a challenge for most firefighters to ‘step up and lead’ when elevated to a position of leadership to leave behind buddy stuff.
Armstrong- We all need to go through it. Thanks for your encouragement. Keep up the good work.
I enjoyed the post….oddly enough I just published the following post below earlier this month. I think we are both holding the same vision.
Leadership vs Friendship: Are you a Freader?
I believe to be a good leader you must first understand your role. You are empowered to lead, make decisions, guide others for the good of the team, group or agency. No matter what, you are the one who must make the right choices for the right reasons.
Often times in leadership positions, leaders must supervise their friends. Too many times the friendship overpowers the leaders vision and responsibility to lead effectively and for the good of all. I call these people “Freaders”. They place their friendship of their subordinates over their leadership role. I believe this leads to bad decisions, lack of accountability and skepticism of your abilities to lead (among the ranks).
As a leader you must first place the good of the team as a whole FIRST! If this puts you at odds with a friend, so be it. If they are truly your friend, they will accept your decision and ultimately respect you for doing what you think is best. If they respond negatively, then they are, in most cases, part of the problem and are most likely a “toxic” person waiting to spill out their toxins on the rest of the team.
Do the work. Do what’s best for the right reasons. Make educated and informed decisions. Don’t be a guesser! Don’t cover up mistakes made by the friends you lead, or you will lose the respect of your pack quickly. Hold everyone accountable. Listen to those around you, friend or foe, and make the decision and lead your troops!
You will not make everyone happy. But, if you are doing what’s best for everyone on the team, placing their personal safety and well-being at the forefront, you will always be respected by the majority. Bottom line is Be a LEADER not a FREADER!
Chief Jerrad D. Blacker
I very much appreciate this article. I have within the last three months gone from firefighter to Lieutenant immediately into the Interim Chief role. Its been a tough transition and have recently been tested and have questioned if I am doing the right thing. This has verified for me that maintaining the leadership role is far more important for the forward progress of our department, than acting as a buddy.
Jesse, Way to Step Up & Lead! Keep up the good work.
Chief- Great message. Yes, we are in agreement. Thanks for sharing!
I am recently new to this leadership position and I feel that I do a great job in what I do. How is it when your chief is slow to respond to another officer spilling his toxins out on the rest of the group, his negativity is very unnerving and hard to stomach. I focus on doing my job following Chiefs orders he says we are volunteers and we need everyone. Here is the problem the rookies are calling on me to do training for them they refuse to train under the toxic training officer. I don’t want to undermine anyone. I feel he has to go if we loose younger guys they are our future. Thoughts thanks in advance.