Is there ever a day where you’re at work and your boss comes in, goes directly to his or her office, and you never see them for the rest of the day?
Are you a supervisor, manager, or leader of your agency who comes into work and goes right to your daily duties without hesitation?
Are you or do you know a field training officer or preceptor who educates, but doesn’t appreciate?
I remember back when I first became attracted to the idea of riding in an ambulance, taking care of the sick, dead, and dying, wanting to make a difference in people’s lives. After all, that’s what attracted most of us to this profession; helping people. There was nothing sweeter than the thought of coming into someone’s life in a moment where they need someone to provide a blanket of comfort; the calm in turbulent seas.
For myself, I started as a volunteer. I took the time to go through the training, the EMT-Basic class, the drills, etc. It was all very invigorating and exciting to be part of a community organization and serving the public. I had the privilege of serving with some talented individuals who were willing to walk beside me and add value to each other and the mission we upheld. That was almost 7 years ago, and as the saying goes: The rest is history.
But what I never forgot from the very beginning was the feeling of being part of something that was greater than I was. I was part of a team. The team helped to serve me, educate me, and added value to my presence as part of that organization. To me, that was worth more than “saving lives” or driving around town in the big shiny ambulance.
Having that kind of beginning inspired me to provide the same kind of qualities to my co-workers, my supervisors, my students, and myself.
Today, what I’ve seen in some organizations are leaders and managers who don’t invest that same kind of value in the people that serve the very purpose of their company. How about you?
How many of your supervisors take the time out of their day to simply sit and have a conversation with you and your peers?
How many of your managers come in at the start of the day and put their duties on the back burner for a short time just to see how things are with you; to address any operational issues; to gather ideas that you may have?
To listen?
To learn?
To lead?
Being a leader is about influencing others. Having that connection with the people who follow you and serve your organization is priceless and is paramount to an efficient, reputable agency. The problem arises when you try to influence people you don’t know. If morale is low, attitudes are bitter, and your people are simply showing up for just a paycheck, something is wrong…….and leadership has a lot to do with that.
If you want to influence them, you have to know who they are, what kind of people they are and what they want to be; You have to be willing to serve them and others to achieve not only goals for themselves, but for everyone. How do we do that? By providing principle-based, ethical leadership and inspiring the people we serve.
If you’re a leader, whether formal or informal, take the time to learn about your followers. John Quincy Adams once said: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”.
Do more and lead your people.Until next time, stay safe.
CT
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