Maximilian_Jenius
Super User
So, the problem with being a captain is that you're in an echo chamber of your own design. FO's aren't going to really rail against you unless you're going to do something that will kill or violate them, so you get used to having guys say, "sure boss, whatever you think is best" even if the captain is a raging douchecanoe.
We can all SAY that we expect FO's to speak up when the captain is behaving this way, but we also know it's a lie, because as soon as FO's speak up we start raining against right seat captains, and how these FO's are so stupid and what do they know.
They know a lot, if we give them an environment where they feel comfortable being open and honest. But that tone is set in the first 30 seconds you meet them.
Zero experience in a cockpit. But that's not how I've always run a shift. Or would like to either.
At top of shift as the lead tech, I always made my expectations known. By first asking if anyone had any questions. Letting them know that everyone has their own communications style with the patients. Use what you like as long as it's safe and within' hospital SOP. Because the goal was always to go home at the end of the shift. Also asking them what their expectations were for themselves and also of me. Made sure to let others know that their opinions/voices are valued/important. But also that I might not always see/catch things that they might. If they did see something that I didn't. I always instructed them speak up. If you're not comfortable with a decision that I made/make. Speak up tell me why you don't like it, what you might do instead. Or let's again come up with a better decision together. Let's talk about it and make a decision. If I overruled your opinion, let's talk about it later after things calmed down and see how the situation could have been handled better/differently. In most cases, both sides often saw different things for the same situations.
Like in a cockpit a whole shift is a team and going to get written up and investigated together, by any one of the following. The health board. State board/licensing, regulatory and also management. The nurses though faced having their licensure censured, suspended or revoked. Techs were just fired. So, they (nurses) especially depended on us the eyes/ears of the unit the techs, especially the lead tech to protect the patients and also their license.
A cockpit might be different, but personally, I don't like ruling from an echo chamber or being ran from an echochamber. As an FO, I'd at least like my opinions/experience to taken into account/taken seriously. Also, I understand that it isn't a democracy and that the captain has the final say. But I would still as a member of the team appreciate being consulted on important decisions. Instead of a POS control freak always barking orders my direction. That would immediately make me shut down/get passive-aggressive. Or get defensive or go on the attack.
Also, I think tone/inflection and body language greatly help better situations as well. Working where I have I consider myself to be a great communicator and people person, also I'm pretty patient. Especially when the clientele were bipolar/manic severe. And already consider you to be bad because they think that you're the enemy and their jailers. Or both. Or a psychopath is flipping tables or in your face yelling at the top of their lungs, posturing and making threats. And you're just there kinda standing calmly. Speaking respectfully. Saying when you're done with your sophomoric tantrum when you've got all that out of your system. I'll be here ready to talk. Okay? Or they're schizophrenic and think that they're Thor from The Avengers.
Being able to communicate effectively as a team is important. I'd think asking leading questions in a cool, calm controlled manner, to the Captain, if he isn't a POS. Instead of being that right seat captain is also important. Also, we had several sayings. Like: "Sometimes being right, is still wrong. Especially when being right got you punched in the face. Or the Q.T.I.P rule. Quit taking it personal(ly). Which of course is always the hardest thing to do.