You will be a big brother, dad, friend, enemy and go-between every day. You can't be "one of the guys" at all and you can't be too distant either. Don't take every complaint as gospel and you can't fix everything. You'll follow orders you find ridiculous and fume when the guilty party is let off. You'll get pissed when someone calls in sick because "they don't feel like working today" and you'll feel great when they call you "chief" or respect you enough to introduce to family when they get a tour of the station.
Demand to be treated like a true manager (which is what you are) and refuse to be treated like a photographer who "does chief stuff sometimes". Fight for the time and space to do your job properly and deliver each day- this is a daily battle.
Stand up for your guys when they can't and critisize them in private when they do wrong. Praise them in public and take a couple of times a year to visit the morning and nightsiders and overnighters at work. Answer all phone calls 24/7 and make sure you have plenty of family time too. Get tight with the engineers and fix a few things yourself, if possible.
I've been a chief for 10+ years now and I can't imagine a different job! Good Luck!
