I love collaborating with people far smarter than I’ll ever be, and Chief Steve Shaw certainly fits that description. He is articulate, passionate, intelligent, handsome, wears silly hats, a true gentleman, and a man I’m proud to call brother! So, without further rambling from me, here’s Chief Shaw’s article, “Transition to Day Shift.”
A meal at a Brazilian restaurant…
A few months back, I was speaking to our new battalion chief (BC) of EMS. Ariel Alvarez had transitioned from being a relatively new shift (field) BC to his new role as the BC of EMS on Day Shift in Fire Administration. As I walked into his office one day, it was obvious that he was in deep thought, struggling over something. As he glanced over his project-laden desk. I asked if everything was OK. In true Ariel style, he smiled really big, leaned back and took a deep breath. He said, “You know when you go to the Brazilian steakhouse, they give you that chip, with one side that’s green and one side that’s red?” I said yup. He continued. “And when you put it on the green side the gauchos will bring you all kinds of meats, and when you turn it over to the red side, they stop?” I nodded in the affirmative. He said, “I feel like I’m at the Brazilian steakhouse, and I can’t turn the chip over to red, and everything keeps coming!”
This was quite possibly the best analogy of being a day shift admin chief that I had ever heard of in my life! I was instantly brought back in time to my first stent on day shift in 2012. I remember that feeling of uncertainty going into what essentially is a new job, and the stress of not knowing how to be a “day guy.” I also remember the overwhelming sense that I couldn’t catch up with everything that was being asked of us.
But that feeling isn’t reserved for just newly promoted chief officers. Having been a training captain, battalion chief, and now assistant chief on day shift, I can tell you that the feeling he was experiencing runs rampant no matter where you go. And though the ranks may separate the job requirements, that transition from shift to days, regardless of rank, comes with challenges.
Why cover this? Well, there may come a time in your career where you may find yourself on day shift. Maybe you wanted it! Maybe you strategically planned and positioned yourself for a training, EMS, prevention, logistics, or emergency management position in administration. Or, perhaps you were asked to take on a short term day shift role for a special project or to go to days to help out with a rookie class. In other words, maybe you had the CHOICE!
On the other hand, maybe you got injured and had to go to days on light duty to avoid using your sick time. Or maybe you got promoted (congrats!) and then because no one else wants it, your last-promoted-first-moved status takes you on a journey to the admin to fill the vacated spot (congrats???)
Regardless of how you found yourself in this position, here are a combination of mindsets and suggestions that can help you maximize your tenure on a day shift in the fire service.
- Mindset. First off, realize that is an OPPORTUNITY. Whether short term or if you’re in it for the long haul, If you bring with you a growth mindset and positive perspective, you can thrive, grow your personal and professional network, and see a side of your agency that few get the chance to experience.
- Learn. There’s an art to being on days. Many of us get into this field to AVOID working a nine-to-five, Monday-through-Friday schedule. And whether you plan to, or HAVE to go to day shift, there is usually no training that has been provided to help you navigate these waters. Left to our own devices, it can set those unprepared up for failure. So learn! Ask your coworkers what works and what does not. Look for those who thrive in this space. You know the ones—those positive people that you gravitate to. The ones who always have a smile on their face. Show humility by seeking these people out. Avoid the negative people who go to work everyday like the world is ending. It is said that “misery loves company.” Don’t let their negativity pull you in. Be positive and surround yourself with amazing positive souls.
- Maintain balance. On the home front, it took me time to find a way to find balance and to focus on what should be everyone’s priority – family. So first thing, make sure you involve your family as you transition to this new life, because that is exactly what this is—a NEW life! Include them on the ground floor. Establish boundaries. Let them know that there may be times when you may have to answer the phone after hours or put the final touches on a special project or presentation, but that the default setting will be them. Then stick by that promise!
- Realize that you may NEVER catch up! One of the most common complaints I hear from those new to the day life is that they feel like they can never catch up. This is OK, and definitely normal! I had this same problem when I first stepped into the training bureau. You have so much you want to do and only so much time in which to do it. The other thing is, you like it! It can become addictive! It’s the new shiny object, and you’re making a difference. So you work late. You take work home with you. You work weekends and finish projects during the night when your kids and spouse go to bed (or worse, when they are awake and watching you.) And then comes the justification. “This will help me get promoted!” “Honey, don’t you WANT me to promote?” “This is part of the job.” Or, “this is what is expected of me.”
Careful with this. It has been said that if you want something done, give it to a busy person. Why? Because busy people get things done! If you start getting asked to do things, you may be that guy or girl! Yes it’s wonderful to be asked to contribute, just be very mindful of the amount you can truly take on. Learn to say “no” when appropriate!
- Maximize your calendar early. Without a firm foundation, the random project requests and numerous spot fires will throw you off kilter and leave you spinning in circles. Get your calendar up to par early. Get used to making entries and sticking to them. Returning to the example of the Brazilian steakhouse above, you absolutely CAN turn that chip to red. In fact, you MUST be able to turn it to red when you can. I told Ariel that he needs to use that technique on me when I come rushing into his office to drop bombs!
When approached by last-minutes requests or spot fires, be up front and honest with the person making the request. Ask if you can have 30 minutes or an hour to finish the project or task you’re working on. Sometimes this may not be an option, but most times, the person asking will understand and appreciate your dedication and planning.
- Understand Parkinson’s Law. “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” Cyril Northcote Parkinson, a British historian, first introduced this concept in 1955. You may be familiar with SMART goals—his acronym stands for Strategic, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Let’s focus on the time-bound part. When I first went to the training bureau, I thought I was “strategically thinking” by loading up my walls with Post-It notes everywhere the eye could see. That would do it! Unfortunately, most of these notes stayed there, week after week, month after month, just staring at me – taunting me.
What was the common denominator? None of them had due dates, time frames, or deadlines. Establish these for your tasks and projects. This is a powerful tool. If these are not set, for yourself and your team members, projects, ideas, and initiatives will linger ad infinitum (i.e., forever).
- Leverage your expertise. We all have different skill sets, and sometimes the skills you bring to the table may not have the platform to be used. Day shift is where these skills can potentially have more of an impact. Are you an IT geek? Do you have a teaching background? Do you have a side job that may have relevance in a current initiative or project? For those who desire a position in administration, these are things you can properly prepare for, especially if your agency has a robust professional development plan that includes both horizontal and vertical pathways. Unfortunately, many do not have this spelled out in great detail. Schedule time to meet with the admin team and see where your skill set could possibly fit into the strategic plan. As an admin chief myself, it’s hard to keep up with all the specialty skills our people bring to the table. So let us know! You never know what opportunities may arise until you ask.
For the short timer on days, make sure we (the admin guys) know what you bring to the table, even in the short term. Could you work on an inventory for your specialty team? Can you teach a class to on duty crews or cadets that doesn’t interfere with your injury limitations? There may be a chance to marry your expertise and personal goals with those of the agency while on days. If you don’t ask and put yourself out there, have fun answering phones at the front desk! At the end of your stent on days, what do you want us (admin) to remember about you? Did you sit at a desk growing roots? Or did you become part of the team while you were there, and we are sad to see you go? It’s your choice!
- Document everything. You may not realize it now, but you will be a part of more initiatives, projects, and task groups than you realize. Whether you’re updating your resume or preparing an annual summary for your bureau, you will find it challenging to put everything down if you haven’t been keeping track. It is inefficient to have to go through old emails, search through numerous memos, and reach out to coworkers for their notes on meetings you were all present for. Keep track of all that you do. I keep a shared document that I can update from anywhere (my phone, my personal computer, etc.) Some people keep a journal. Whatever it is, keep tabs on the projects, initiatives, and work groups you find yourself involved with. Trust me on this!
As I finish penning this blog, I reflect on one captain who recently came to day shift after an injury he sustained. During this time, he interacted with everyone in administration in a positive way and he took on whatever tasks were assigned to him with a smile. He also took the time to explain his goals and objectives with the department and offered ways in which he could contribute. Knowing this, we assigned him tasks that aligned with both his trajectory and the department’s strategic goals. In short, he was able to attend numerous classes, become involved in numerous initiatives, and helped the EMS bureau achieve a long-sought American Heart Association recognition. Most importantly, he left a very positive and professional impression on us all. It is that impression that we will remember the next time we see him running calls in the field!
Life on day shift, whether short- or long-term, can be an amazing opportunity if you come prepared with the right mindset and if you are intentional about involving yourself where you can with the specialities you bring to the table.
