Crossroads
This episode opens with Captain Winters doing what great leaders do...leading from the front. Winters is promoted to the role of Executive Officer for the battalion, and the rest of the episode follows him as he transitions from a field tactician to an executive officer. As part of that process, he must learn to let go...to let go of the direct leadership style he is used to and learn how to operate in a new role. This transition demonstrates to us that:
Leaders Must Adapt
One thing that has proven to be true time and time again...change is a big part of growth. Ask anyone in the fire service that has promoted to any position; they will all say...things change. Responsibilities change. Roles change. Perspectives change. In fact...if your perspective doesn't change, some may say that you aren't growing or learning anything new. As an example, if you are looking for the captain on the fire-ground and you find them on the nozzle...there is a problem!
Discussion questions to consider...
- How has your perspective changed over the course of your career?
- In what ways may a company officer's perspective be different than a firefighter's?
- How can leaders stay connected when they transition to new roles?
- In what ways have you had to adapt in your career, and how have you managed change?
