Working for you

I had a recent suggestion from a reader in regards to this newsletter and I’d like to share it with everyone. I’ve recently gone through a period of reflection and reading. I really come to enjoy education on psychology and human interactions. It seems most of us, including myself, just don’t get enough reps in order to understand how to truly get our message across and I think that’s been the overall theme throughout the newsletter thus far. But I’d like to share a new book and the ideas I’ve found. Ideas that I don’t think are new, just generally uncommon in our field.

My most recent find is the book “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek. His writings on leadership are most definitely educational, and of great value to any of us looking to be part of a team. That’s what I’d like to go over. We can all acknowledge that we’re part of a team mainly because we usually work in groups of 2, 4 or maybe even six or eight. But have you asked yourself the question, what happens if everyone, is gone? What happens if we disband? What happens…? There simply is no team without the crew. Simple concept. There is no “we”, it’s just “you”. But can “you” do the job? Can “you” do the job effectively? Can you do it safely? Can you drive yourself and provide patient care?

The answer’s obvious. I know. The point I’d like to get to, is make it glaringly obvious that “I” work for “you”. What do I mean by that? It means, I am worthless without you. My partner, my crew. It means nothing to be in charge or a part of, if there’s nothing to be a part of. It means nothing to be in charge when there’s nothing to “charge”. Therefore, “you” are the most important part of the team. But when placed in this context, we recognize we’re filling a role. We ALL have a role. Some fill that role with extreme pride, while others not so much.

With that aside, when we work for each other we fill that role much more effectively.  I’ve come to find I have personally enjoyed work 10x more when I’ve had a reliable partner. I would think we all agree with that.  With that I’d like to believe I also strive to make my partner’s day the best I can, despite the daily challenges.  Work is hard enough without interjecting work politics, personalities and the daily stressful call.  I like to recall some of my best partners and the things they have done that make my day so much better.  I would sometimes come back to the station and while working on a report, my partner’s already cleaned, thrown out the trash and made sure I don’t need anything else.  That’s a partner I don’t want to lose.  On other occasions, I’ve had my partner walk up for our first call of the day with a snack for the road, just to make sure neither one of us ends up hungry when we’ve been away for hours on end.  These aren’t just “things” we do to make others like us.  These are personality traits that leave deep impact on each other. 

When we learn to work in such a way, remembering “I” work for “you”, we can all have a day, month, year or career full of memories, rather than regrets. Putting the interests of others first, isn’t just a concept, it’s a reality we can all put into practice.

Outcome: we will endure doing what needs to be done, no matter how hard, stressful or time-consuming it might be.

Dave - “working for you”