If your manager runs on adrenaline, frequently rushing in to save the day, you’re likely working for a “firefighter boss.” These leaders create urgency, reward crisis response, and often overlook the planning that prevents problems in the first place. Here’s how to survive—and shift—the dynamic.
Celebrate the emergencies that don’t happen. Firefighter bosses crave recognition. Shift their focus by documenting near-misses and avoided crises. Highlight moments where proactive planning saved time, effort, or money. Over time, you can rewire what gets rewarded—and encourage a culture that values prevention over panic.
Stay calm to stop the cycle. When your boss escalates a small issue into a five-alarm fire, don’t follow their lead. Ask questions, bring data, and slow the pace. A measured response creates space for better decisions and reduces team burnout. You don’t have to match their energy to make an impact.
Reframe a long-term strategy as a short-term win. Avoid clashing with their urgency by reframing big-picture solutions as quick wins. For example, instead of saying, “We need six months to overhaul this system,” try, “In the next three weeks, we can reduce the risk of failure by 40% through a proactive fix.” This satisfies their need for speed while aligning them with the logic of sustainable improvement. |
