Thoughts on bringing members back to the fold

[digitaltemujin]

I have an update on my fire department's situation and could use further guidance.

As I stated previously we are transitioning to a new Captain (department boss).
Since his appointment, many members have appeared to lose interest. Our weekly training attendance is down to 4 or 5 including the new boss and I. A year previous we had attendances of 15 members pretty regularly.
The promotional process for our new boss seems to have damaged morale further. It was a surprise announcement after the previous boss stopped communicating and announced he is quitting. The team was expecting to have input on the promotional process, instead the regional chief made what the team perceived to be a rushed, unwise decision. The new boss so far is still not communicating with the team.


Our call attendance is also very low, we've had occurences where members call in as unavailable despite being at a nearby coffee shop hanging out.

Thinking back to something Jocko has said
"there are no bad teams, only bad leaders"

My question is, are these team members lost to us or can they be won back with leadership and enthusiasm?
I admit my enthusiasm has also dipped in the previous months for the same reasons, this is where my leadership, as a previous quasi leader, has failed.
Any thoughts on what we can do to encourage our members to re-engage?

[mynewunit]

Thanks for keeping up on this. It is interesting to look at this after the leadership challenges I have had on both sides and see where your frustration is versus where it is often perceived.

The members aren't lost. This would be something like gaining some space from your spouse. They are looking for some direction. They aren't interested in paddling if the ship is going down.
Don't beg them back. If you need one of them for their specific skill ask them to come back and share that skill. It can't be "We miss you" it has to be more "You are needed for".
Next, sweat the small stuff. Paint the bathroom. Sweep the floors. Fix the light that hasn't worked in 5 years. This is where subversive leadership comes into play. Find a project, Ask around before starting the project, Find someone who would be good to help with it, ask who needs to approve it, ask if there is any money to help. Once you know you aren't breaking any rules. Pick a weekend or evening to start. buy the stuff. Mention it to select leaders and do it. Once you have done a few of these people will start bringing them to you. Include others, share praise, take blame.
The guys who left have their reasons why. The question is why did they start coming. Get back to that and they will come again. I bet it was because you guys were a tight ship full of great guys. Start with the tight ship.