A young man wearing a suit swaggered into the room, introduced himself, and sat down before the interview panel I was sitting on. He had no fire service experience, yet he spoke like a seasoned veteran who had battled fires for decades. Some may call that confidence, but I will call that attitude for what it really was—arrogance. What was his name? Andy Arrogant. And you have probably met many of Andy’s family members over the years.
Then came the question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Without hesitation, he replied, “I see myself as the fire chief.” I stared at this guy in amazement and thought, “Wow! How out of touch and what pride and egotism this guy has!”
That answer didn’t demonstrate vision—it revealed a lack of self-awareness. Leadership isn’t claimed; it’s earned through time, growth, and service. His response immediately raised red flags. It wasn’t only a lack of self-awareness on his part, but a pompous attitude that reeked as if a skunk had just entered the room.
Throughout my career, I’ve sat on many hiring and promotional panels. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing outstanding candidates who went on to become exceptional firefighters and leaders. But I’ve also encountered individuals who carried an attitude of, “I deserve this.”
Let’s be clear—this mindset isn’t limited to one generation or group. It’s a universal leadership pitfall. Entitlement shows up in every profession, every age group, and every level of experience.
The problem isn’t confidence. We need confident firefighters. The problem is when confidence morphs into self-importance—when someone believes they are owed a position rather than called to earn it.
True leaders don’t walk into a room trying to impress others with what they think they deserve. They walk in ready to learn, contribute, and grow.
Because in the fire service—and in life—attitude often matters more than aptitude.
