Help Reviving My Career

[rescuepadawan]

I'll start with the reason I am writing for advice. I received news today that I got suspended for 2 shifts. I actually understand and agree with why I was disciplined.

So now let's get to the story. I am a Company Officer in my department, with 2 firefighters under my command. One of my guys is 23 years old with 2 years on the job, the other is 30 with 8 years on the job. The main down fall to my crew is the older firefighter is the recently demoted Deputy Fire Chief. My troubles as a Leader start here. I have failed to lead my "misfit" group and turn us into a cohesive team. I have let my motivation slip. I have no excuse as to why I have let this happen.

There have been several incidents that I LET destroy my confidence. Because of this I failed my younger firefighter by not disciplining the older firefighter for essentially bullying. That is why I have been suspended, for failing to protect a member of my crew from harassment from his coworker. I 100% agree with the disciplinary action my Fire Chief took, so I'm not looking for legal advice, but what I am looking for is advice on how to turn my career around. I have been through just about every emotion you can think of over the past few months. For the first time in my life I am just plain defeated. I've contemplated stepping down as a Captain. I've even thought maybe I should just leave the fire service altogether. But I love the fire service, I love being a leader in my firehouse, and I love my brothers.

So when I go back to work December 28th I'm going to pull my boots up and get to work. I just need help with the older firefighter. Should I go in with guns blazing and lay everything on the table? Can I discipline him now for any previous infractions? This is all new to me, I want to learn from my mistakes and grow from this situation. Thanks for your advice.

[mynewunit]

Guns blazing is the wrong direction. You need to be honest and transparent.  Not guns blazing, more vulnerable. 

You have 3 tasks. Number 1 is to apologize to the underlings. They need to know that you are looking out for them. If they can't trust you, they will leave. The second thing you need to do is Level with the jaded Chief. You need to be straight forward with him. You need him to be professional or you will have to throw the book at him. Understand his technical knowledge and invite him to work through you.

The last task is you need to make these guys a team. This is going to take time together. You will need to be the thermostat, not the thermometer. You will be the standard for fitness, preparation, professionalism and organization. For this I would recommend a coach, maybe your boss or another captain.

Take your leave to start fixing yourself. Do some metabolic conditioning. Clean you helmet and your boots. Up your inspections. When you find something wrong, you fix it. Sharpen tools, new shoe laces, polishing bumpers, burnt out lights, fresh supplies, shall be done by you or with you.

This will be the rudder of the change. You need to have standards and clear strikes. Admit when your weaknesses and failures. Invite them to bring your own short comings and errors to your attention.  The apology and talk with the chief may be one talk to the whole team, or 2 separate conversations. You need to think of how the group will react. Work through their possible responses and see what gets you to the best outcome. This does not mean what is easiest for you. Think it out and then ask your boss what he would do.

Lots of Fire house guys on these boards.  I can direct some of them to you if you want.  A little context, where are you located. Just state or province. I am in New York.

[rescuepadawan]

Thanks for the advice, I from North Carolina. I figured the guns blazing was not going to be the right approach. Getting some perspective from other firefighters would be extremely helpful. I have an idea that building the team is going to add some difficulties to my future. But I am up for the challenge and other firefighters can bring ideas on how to accomplish the ultimate goal.

[mynewunit]

digitaltemujin take a peek at this thread. Admin any thoughts.

[digitaltemujin]

I think communication is key and like newunit said be vulnerable and humble. Its your fault your two subordinates are bullying each other. You chief thinks so and you were punished for it and you must accept that with humility. Accept that with your team and see how they react. They should begin looking at themselves and start to take ownership of their actions in turn. If you take the blame for your senior man's actions, you will build trust with the junior man and take the pressure off the dynamic of the two.

I'm not sure if there are personality issues with your members but I think addressing any unprofessional-ism that they might have, needs to be done soon, but not before you start addressing your own unprofessional-ism. Show them your example of positive change, then you can start expecting it of them.

Above all stay focused on the mission. Train for calls, workout and study with the guys. Push them to perform at their best on each call. For practice, give them some scenarios to where they need to work with each other.

You can bounce back from this as a better leader and show the chief what your really made of. This was a humility check, which is much better done in station than on the fireground.
Be grateful for that and keep looking to learn and grow.

Stay safe Captain