Handling Setbacks Like a Professional: Firefighter Lessons from the Baseball Diamond

In every career, setbacks are inevitable. Whether you’re a firefighter who missed out on a promotion or a baseball player who didn’t get the callup that you expected, how you respond to these moments can have a profound effect on your future. In my experience, both in the fire service and in scouting and evaluating baseball players, I’ve seen firsthand how negative reactions to disappointment can create lasting consequences. Conversely, those who handle setbacks with professionalism and resilience often find themselves on the path to redemption and even greater success.

The firefighter’s setback: missing the promotion

In the fire service, promotions are a significant milestone. They’re a recognition of your hard work, dedication and readiness to take on greater responsibility. So, when you don’t get the promotion that you thought that you deserved, it can feel like a major setback. The initial reaction often is one of disappointment, frustration or even anger. These emotions are natural, but how you manage them is critical.

I’ve seen firefighters who, after they missed out on a promotion, allowed their disappointment to cloud their judgment and behavior. They became disengaged, cynical and even resentful. This negative attitude not only affected their own performance but also had a ripple effect on their team. In some cases, it even led to disciplinary action, which further damaged their career prospects.

On the other hand, I also have seen firefighters who used their disappointment as a learning opportunity. They sought feedback, identified areas for improvement and committed themselves to becoming even better at their job. These individuals didn’t just accept the setback; they used it as fuel to drive their personal and professional growth. More often than not, they found themselves promoted in the next round of opportunities.

Lessons from the diamond: handling demotion and being DFA’d

The world of baseball provides a striking parallel to the fire service career path. As a scout, I’ve watched players who were on the cusp of making it to the big leagues only to be passed over and players who were in the big leagues get sent down to the minors. For others, being designated for assignment (DFA’d)—which can involve being placed on outright or unconditional release waivers—feels like a career death sentence. However, just as in the fire service, how baseball players respond to this setback can determine their future.

Some players, after they are demoted or DFA’d, allow their frustration to consume them. They lose their focus, let their performance suffer and, ultimately, watch their dreams slip away. Their negative reaction to the setback becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, which leads to the very outcome that they feared most: career stagnation or even termination.

In contrast, I’ve seen players who, after they were sent down to the minors, took a different approach. They viewed the setback as a temporary challenge, an opportunity to refine their skills and prove their worth. These players doubled down on their efforts, stayed positive, and maintained their professionalism both on and off the field. Their resilience not only earned them respect but often led to a return to the big leagues.

Consequences of negative reactions

Whether on the diamond or in the fire service, the consequences of a negative reaction to a setback can be severe. It’s easy to let disappointment turn into bitterness, but doing so can have long-term repercussions. In baseball, it can lead to a loss of opportunities and, ultimately, the end of a career. In the firehouse, it can lead to a loss of trust and credibility with your peers and superiors.

Moreover, negative reactions can affect your mental and emotional well-being. Harboring resentment or frustration can create a toxic environment, not just for yourself but for those who are around you. Once it’s set in motion, it’s a downward spiral that’s difficult to reverse.

Embracing challenges and risking failure

One of the key elements of professional growth is the willingness to put yourself out there, to challenge yourself and to chase your dreams. With that pursuit comes the inevitability of disappointment and failure. If you aren’t experiencing setbacks, you might ask yourself whether you truly are pushing your limits.

In the pursuit of my dreams of moving from the engine to the office, I achieved a significant milestone by being involved in a division chief position hiring process. I considered this a success, because being included in the process was a major step forward. However, the outcome was humbling, revealing areas that I needed to improve if I wanted to succeed in the future.

A few years later, I had the opportunity to test for a battalion chief position. As I noted above, embracing the path to your dreams can be soul-crushing. Halfway through that process, I realized how painful it would be if I didn’t succeed.

It’s important to acknowledge that using a setback as a positive rather than a negative is easier said than done. For most people, it’s a difficult task to turn disappointment into a catalyst for growth, but it also is an essential part of professional and personal development. Too often, I saw individuals hold back, because they feared what others thought when they didn’t get the promotion or position that they aimed for. However, chasing your dreams requires courage—the courage to risk failure, to face disappointment head on, and to keep moving forward regardless of the outcome.

Handle disappointment like a professional

How do you handle disappointment professionally? The first step is to acknowledge your feelings. It’s OK to be disappointed or frustrated, but it’s important to process these emotions in a healthy way. Seek out a trusted mentor or colleague to talk through your feelings and gain perspective.

Second, focus on what you can control. You might not be able to change the outcome, but you can control how you respond to it. Take the time to reflect on the situation and to identify areas for improvement. Ask for feedback and use it as a roadmap for your development.

Maintain a positive attitude and stay engaged. Don’t let a setback define you or your career. Continue to give your best effort and look for opportunities to demonstrate your value. Your professionalism and resilience won’t go unnoticed, and when the next opportunity arises, you’ll be ready.

Finally, remember that setbacks often are temporary. Just because you didn’t get the promotion, or you missed out on a big opportunity doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the road. In fact, many people find that their greatest successes come after their most significant setbacks. By handling disappointment with grace and determination, you set yourself up for a future that’s filled with possibilities.

Resilience as the key to success

In both the fire service and baseball, setbacks are part of the journey. They’re inevitable, but they don’t have to be career-ending. By handling disappointment with professionalism and resilience, you not only protect your reputation but also position yourself for future success.

Remember, it isn’t the setback itself that defines you; it’s how you respond to it. Whether you’re a firefighter, a baseball player or anyone who strives for success, resilience is the key to turning setbacks into opportunities. Stay focused, stay positive and keep pushing forward. Your next opportunity could be just around the corner.