I’m a volunteer EMS first responder. Here’s how it’s made me a better leader

WhenmyemergencyIARappsoundsat3a.m.,there’snoroomforego,second-guessing,orhesitation.Inthatcriticalmoment,allthatmattersistrust,teamwork,andexecution. WhileIhavespentdecadesinthecorporateworld,someofmymostvaluableleadershiplessonshavecomefrommyexperienceasavolunteerEMSfirstresponder.Inthefield,whenI’massistinginalife-threateningtraumasituationorrespondingtoacaraccident,leadershipisputtothetestunderextremepressure.  ButwhetherI’mpilotinganambulanceonadarkhighwayorguidingmycompanythroughturbulenttimes,theprinciplesremainthesame:Knowyourrole,removethenoise,maintainatruenorth,andharnessthepowerofthecollective. Firstrespondersmakereal-timedecisionsunderpressure,relyingontrustandcollaboration,andCEOstodaymustembracethesamemindset.WhileIseesomeleadersrevertingtotop-downmanagementinresponsetorapidchangeandshiftingpolicies,thisapproachcanactuallyhinderlong-termsuccess.  SubscribetotheCompassnewsletter.FastCompany