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What and how do you handle it without hurting someones feelings?
How and what do you do to keep from hurting someones feelings when you are an officer and your secretery/treasurer wants to tell you what to do? I believe everyone's input is invaluable and can handle constructive critiscism and believe you can learn from every member. How do I approach this member without hurting their feelings but maintaining chain of command? I really like this person and respect their opinion but she has been an officer in the past and has stepped down. I believe we can learn from each other but feel confident I can continue to make appropriate desicions without being informed how to handle situations. Your input is greatly appreciated.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by DUST on
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I don't see why you have to approach this person at all. When the secretary/treasurer tells you what to do I would politely listen (smile & nod) and then make the decision that you feel is best. If they question your decision after you have made it tell them you did what you thought was best. if they want to argue or criticize you afterwards tell them to take it up with the chief or next higher ranking officer.
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Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on
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I agree with you on that Dust, we alway need to follow the
chain of command.
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Permalink Reply by Padre Pete on
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It seems the secty. needs to be remembered as a good fire officer, even though she left it behind. You are an avenue she has chosen to find it. Put your ear to my desk top and listen to the Dust. Keep The Faith.
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Permalink Reply by CHIEF NORMAN on
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Well brother we need to make sure we keep our fillings and emotions in check or it will just eat you up as an officer, and if there is fraternizing going on it needs to be left out of the fire dept or it will do nonthing but come back and bite you on the butt...You as part of the chain of command are the final decision makers...Its always nice to include your department personal because they will respect you more and it makes them fill better when there included...But you as a leader need to do what is best for the entire dept not just to please one person...
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Ahh the officer game. I assume when you mean stepped down, your department "votes" on their officers. I personally do not like the "voting popularity contests" often resulting in lesser qualified, but more popular candidates for leadership positions. None of the which, afford your department with any continuity of the mission over any length of time.
Problem with this system most everybody in a small department become or have been an officer. Then there are a few who feel they will forever be an officer even without the official vote, rank and empowerment. Or those who are influencial tend to have a following and that feeds the beast as well.... I have actually seen in other places, where helmet stickers read "Ex-Chief" etc. but in reality are now at the rank of a firefighter.
As for your situation. She is the secretary. If this is a non-chain of command position, (meaning you don't report to her) then smile/ nod and take the information into consideration. If the situation escalates because she is upset you are not acting upon what she would do or wants, then I would have a little one on one to communicate that you respect her opinion, time served and current concerns but you are the one currently empowered to make officer decisions and will take not only her opinion but others into consideration before acting.
When you become an officer, your job isn't to make friends, it is to lead the members into a direction in whch the mission statement says, prepare them for the future emegency, and assure that they do it in a safe manner so everyone goes home. Following the rules will always upset or hurt someones feelings. Now if you actually follow that road map, it doesn't say console or pamper people in which your are assigned. That "stroke" can be done when they do good things...
I describe my responsibilities as an officer as adult daycare with hazard pay...
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FETC, Im going to have to remember your last sentence, words well put brother adult daycare with hazard pay...
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I use quite often when I am out for dinner with my wife's friends... you know the non-FD people always ask, what do you do at the FD when not fighting a fire....
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Well said FETC! Your response above really frames the best answer to Dwayne's question.
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