Some fires do not start on the fireground. They start in conversations, in silence, in unchecked behavior, and in the cultural embers that slowly burn inside our organizations.
Managing people today is more complex and riskier than ever. Technology fuels misinformation and hostility, personal struggles spill into the workplace, and the culture of the firehouse is not immune. What happens online and at home shows up at roll call—and when it does, some of the people we work with become difficult.
Dealing with Difficult People is a handbook for leaders who find themselves unprepared for the human problems that can eclipse the fire, the budget, or the call. It is a comprehensive guide for handling different types of difficult people and the situations they can cause, from bullying, defamation, disgruntled behavior, gossip, to the downright dangerous.
Author, fire chief, and former Army combat medic Jerry Streich has experienced firsthand the impact difficult people can have in already high-pressure workplaces. His critical new book is here to pass along the lessons that could protect your health, your team, and your reputation.
Foreword
Preface Acknowledgments
1Lessons of Leadership
2Never Forget That You Are the Chief
3Two Down: The Call That Changed Everything
4The Different Types of Difficult People
5Why People Matter
6Dealing with Difficult
7Dealing with Entitlement
8Dealing with Dangerous
9Dealing with a Narcissist
10Dealing with Defamation
11Dealing with a Workplace Bully
12Dealing with Disgruntled
13Dealing with Small-Minded People
14Dealing with Deviance
15Dealing with a Gossip
16Generational Differences
17Understanding Body Language
18Organizational Impacts
19Personal Impacts
20Putting It All Together
Appendix A: Real-World Scenarios
Index
Jerry Streich is a former U.S. Army combat medic and 32-year veteran of the fire service, where he served as a fire chief, emergency manager, and investigator. Having led award-winning emergency response agencies throughout his career, he is widely recognized for his expertise in organizational development, recruitment and retention, and workplace evaluations.
A sought-after speaker, Streich presents at conferences across North America. His engaging, down-to-earth style involves audiences in the conversation and leaves them with practical, actionable takeaways. His presentations consistently earn high praise for their insight, humor, and real-world relevance.
In 2019, his department was named Minnesota Fire Department of the Year after implementing the leadership and organizational strategies he shares with readers of this book. Beyond the stage, Streich contributes as an author, blogger, podcaster, board member, and trusted voice of change in the public safety industry.
Streich holds degrees in organizational leadership and fire science and maintains numerous professional certifications, licenses, and memberships. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and helping organizations and people to reach their full potential.
