Welcome back to season 2 of My Mayor, the Catalyst series that helps you get to know the person behind the policy. We sat down with each candidate and asked them each the same five questions, with a few follow up questions sprinkled in. For Episode 2, we asked:

  • What’s something you’ve become much better at in the last five years that would surprise your younger self?
  • What’s a question you wish more people would ask before forming an opinion?
  • Tell me about a time when you realized you’d been completely wrong about someone.
  • What’s a lesson life taught you the hard way?
  • When nobody’s asking anything of you and curiosity takes over, what rabbit hole are you most likely to disappear into?

Joe Hamilton:
We are back with My Mayor Season 2, Episode 2, joined once again by former Fire Chief Jim Large. Welcome, sir.

Jim Large:
Thank you. Glad to be back.

Joe Hamilton:
We’ve got five more questions to help people continue getting to know you, the person behind the policy.

Question number one. What’s something you’ve become much better at in the last five years that would surprise your younger self?

Jim Large:
This was probably the most thought-provoking question of the bunch.

Having spent so many years in the fire service and learning so many lessons, I always joke that when I was eighteen I knew everything, and I’ve gotten progressively dumber ever since.

Trying to narrow it down to one thing, especially over the last five years, I’d say it’s developed into a much more simplistic, common-sense, bottom-line approach to problem solving.

Earlier in my career, I’d get frustrated sitting through meetings that seemed to go on forever. We’d beat the same issue over and over.

Eventually I found myself saying, “What’s the bottom line? Let’s solve the problem.”

It’s probably related to patience, but it’s really more about simplicity in decision-making. Less fluff. More common sense.

Joe Hamilton:
If we dig into that a little, do you think it’s actually a variation of patience?

Maybe instead of simply becoming more patient, you started building systems that were more efficient so patience wasn’t required as often.

Jim Large:
That’s an interesting way to look at it.

My wife says I’m definitely more patient than I used to be, so I haven’t lost patience.

But I think it’s more about time management.

Today we’re all multitasking. Social media, constant communication, nonstop demands.

Time is the most precious thing we have.

So my mindset became, “Let’s not spend unnecessary time here. We know what needs to be done. Let’s do it efficiently.”

I also watched common sense slowly erode over the years. That’s been happening for a long time, not just recently.

I always tried to bring common sense back to the table.

So yes, there’s some patience involved, but it’s really about managing time wisely.

Joe Hamilton:
What’s a question you wish more people would ask before forming an opinion?

Jim Large:
That’s an easy one.

“Can we have a conversation?”

Whatever the issue is, let’s talk before anyone forms an opinion.

Whether it’s something personal, a policy issue or a procedural question, let’s have a conversation first.

Even if someone comes to me convinced I’m wrong, I’d say, “Okay, let’s talk. Why do you believe that?”

Hear all sides before making up your mind.

Joe Hamilton:
That’s certainly one of the most damaging aspects of social media.

You can remove something from its context, attach a judgment to it and, within those few sentences, it can seem internally logical.

Once you expand the context and include other perspectives, the picture often changes completely.

Jim Large:
One hundred percent.

We talked about that a little last time, and it’s absolutely true.

Joe Hamilton:
Tell me about a time you realized you were completely wrong about someone.

Jim Large:
This one jumped right out at me.

Years ago I was an assistant fire chief in St. Petersburg, and I had an opening for our logistics officer.

Three lieutenants applied.

Two were people I’d worked with, and I didn’t think either one was the right fit.

The third candidate worked on another shift. I didn’t know him very well, and honestly I wasn’t impressed. I thought he was too laid back. I expected someone with a stronger command presence.

A friend encouraged me to take a chance on him.

I reluctantly did.

To this day, I consider him a friend, and it was one of the best personnel decisions I ever made.

I was completely wrong.

He didn’t need that traditional command presence because his leadership style was built around relationships. He got people to cooperate naturally. He was perfect for the job.

Joe Hamilton:
That’s interesting because it illustrates different leadership styles.

Some leaders rely on command presence. Others rely more on collaboration.

When you think about the mayor’s office, where do you think it falls along that spectrum?

Jim Large:
I think the mayor, just like a fire chief, needs all of those tools.

Leadership is situational.

Sometimes you have to be very direct. Decisions have to be made immediately.

Other times you absolutely need collaboration, consensus and long conversations.

During a fire or while operating an Emergency Operations Center after a hurricane, there isn’t time for debate. Someone has to decide and people have to move.

On something like the Gas Plant District, though, collaboration and consensus are exactly what’s needed.

A mayor needs the ability to move comfortably across that whole spectrum.

Joe Hamilton:
Makes sense.

What’s a lesson life taught you the hard way?

Jim Large:
There have been several, but one stands out.

After high school I got a job at a mobile home manufacturer.

About two weeks later my father called me into the living room.

He was retired Air Force, a World War II veteran and a Korean War veteran.

He asked me which branch of the military I planned to join.

I told him I wasn’t joining.

He suggested I enlist, earn the GI Bill and eventually go to college.

I still said no.

He reached into his checkbook, wrote me a check and handed it to me.

I thought it was a graduation gift.

He said, “No. That’s first month’s rent and last month’s rent wherever you’re moving. You’ve got two weeks.”

I was stunned.

My mom was tearing up.

Within hours I was calling friends looking for a roommate.

One friend had just been hired by Florida Power, so we rented a furnished duplex for $165 a month.

Suddenly I had rent, electric bills, water bills and real responsibility.

At the time I was disappointed in my dad.

Looking back, it was one of the greatest lessons he ever taught me.

That experience pushed me toward pursuing a career with the City. I originally applied to become a police officer and ended up in the fire department instead.

It turned out to be exactly where I belonged.

Joe Hamilton:
Was your father around long enough to see the career you built?

Jim Large:
Yes.

We had a strained relationship for a while.

When I made lieutenant, I became the youngest lieutenant in department history at twenty-four.

He came to the promotion ceremony.

He looked at me and simply said, “Attaboy, son.”

That has stayed with me ever since.

He never invited me to move back home, though.

Joe Hamilton:
You never went back.

Jim Large:
Never went back.

Joe Hamilton:
Final question.

When nobody’s asking anything of you and curiosity takes over, what’s the rabbit hole you’re most likely to disappear into?

Jim Large:
There are really two.

Before the campaign, I wanted something that challenged my brain after retirement, so I decided to learn piano.

I bought a piano, found a very patient instructor and still take lessons every week.

When I had free time, I’d research music theory, piano apps and different techniques.

Once the campaign started, everything changed.

I still take lessons and try to practice, but now my rabbit hole is research.

Something will pop into my head and I’ll immediately start looking it up.

Crime statistics.

Infrastructure.

Rainfall data.

Stormwater.

Anything related to running a city.

My wife tells me all the time, “You’re married to that phone now.”

She’s right.

I’m constantly researching because every new question leads to another.

I haven’t given up on the piano. Right now I’m mostly playing “Jingle Bells” and “Happy Birthday,” but I’ll get there.

Joe Hamilton:
I do think it’s worth pointing out that while candidates have campaign slogans, I don’t think anyone has a campaign song yet.

Maybe you should get back to the piano and write one.

Jim Large:
I’m nowhere near writing music.

I’m still learning to read it.

My instructor has been incredibly patient teaching me not only piano, but how music actually works. It’s almost like learning another language, or even math.

That’s what I wanted. I wanted something that challenged my brain.

My wife always says I’m happiest when I have a challenge.

She’s probably right.

That’s part of why I’m running for mayor.

The city has challenges, and I see those as challenges worth taking on.

Joe Hamilton:
Wonderful.

I know you’re squeezing this in between meetings downtown, so I appreciate you taking the time.

I look forward to continuing the conversation in our next episode.

Jim Large:
I do too.

This goes back to your earlier question.

We’re having a conversation.

That’s how people get to know each other, and that’s how opinions should be formed.

I think what you’re doing is a valuable service because voters get to hear all six candidates explain their own perspectives and make an informed decision.

Joe Hamilton:
That’s exactly the goal.

I appreciate you participating.