Post by mynewunit on Dec 22, 2016 8:17:22 GMT -8
Step number 1: Remove you from the equation, Detach. If you don't exist do his actions make sense?
If I was a new leader, training seems like the perfect place to get to know the "troopers". You see who is strongest, smartest, who knows the equipment, who has good instincts. My recommendation would be, ask if you can participate in training. Jock up and be last in line for drills. Be the student. Don't instruct. Let him answer the questions of the new recruits. You might have something to learn. Also, his training should show how he thinks, what he thinks are weak points and what is important. If his style is different than the prior captain, you need to change to his. You cannot serve 2 masters.
Now, 1 on 1 with the captain, ask questions. Think more why, not what was the point. Why did you change where the gear is on the engine? If you want more communication, make it easy for him. Offer to send out a weekly email, cork board schedule, or hard copy calendar of the activities. This is a great reason to sit down with him every week and find out who is covering shifts, activities, rentals, demonstrations, training's and equipment work. You can mention things that have been done in the past. Recommendations of servicing summer gear in the winter, when the christmas party is, what week we visit the schools for fire safety.
All this is un-glamours, disciplined work that will only bring you scrutiny. Doing this well will bring responsibility. It will be a tool to support your captain. It will also be a regular demonstration that you are capable, predictable, and dependable. This , or something like it, can be used to steer the culture of the crew. Make sure it is used to build the team, empower leadership, and inform the station.
Side note: New captains suck. In my volunteer arena's, new leadership means you have to start at zero again. You finally get into a groove where your job gets easy and you get good at it and now you have to give it all up and start again. The military mantra is 1. Mission 2. Men 3. Self
You only know what you know. It is possible that they don't acknowledge that they are taking your "Rice Bowl" even if the other guys in the station notice. This calls for a personal private communication. Shoot an email, write a letter, or duck into his office. A quality man will understand his oversight, apologize and learn from it. I have committed this transgression multiple times.
Keep asking. Let me know if I am way off and give an update on how things progress.
Brian
If I was a new leader, training seems like the perfect place to get to know the "troopers". You see who is strongest, smartest, who knows the equipment, who has good instincts. My recommendation would be, ask if you can participate in training. Jock up and be last in line for drills. Be the student. Don't instruct. Let him answer the questions of the new recruits. You might have something to learn. Also, his training should show how he thinks, what he thinks are weak points and what is important. If his style is different than the prior captain, you need to change to his. You cannot serve 2 masters.
Now, 1 on 1 with the captain, ask questions. Think more why, not what was the point. Why did you change where the gear is on the engine? If you want more communication, make it easy for him. Offer to send out a weekly email, cork board schedule, or hard copy calendar of the activities. This is a great reason to sit down with him every week and find out who is covering shifts, activities, rentals, demonstrations, training's and equipment work. You can mention things that have been done in the past. Recommendations of servicing summer gear in the winter, when the christmas party is, what week we visit the schools for fire safety.
All this is un-glamours, disciplined work that will only bring you scrutiny. Doing this well will bring responsibility. It will be a tool to support your captain. It will also be a regular demonstration that you are capable, predictable, and dependable. This , or something like it, can be used to steer the culture of the crew. Make sure it is used to build the team, empower leadership, and inform the station.
Side note: New captains suck. In my volunteer arena's, new leadership means you have to start at zero again. You finally get into a groove where your job gets easy and you get good at it and now you have to give it all up and start again. The military mantra is 1. Mission 2. Men 3. Self
You only know what you know. It is possible that they don't acknowledge that they are taking your "Rice Bowl" even if the other guys in the station notice. This calls for a personal private communication. Shoot an email, write a letter, or duck into his office. A quality man will understand his oversight, apologize and learn from it. I have committed this transgression multiple times.
Keep asking. Let me know if I am way off and give an update on how things progress.
Brian
