Indecisive Leadership Kills #1stresponders!!!

By Safe Call Now President & Founder Sean Riley

Indecisive, the ability to not make a decision.  Ahhh but there’s more included in the definition.  Putting a decision off or can’t make an effective one.  That’s important to note.  I work with many people in the public sector as well as private companies.  One thing I’ve noticed on my travels around the country are management styles of leadership.  There are incredible leaders out there and then I see managers.  People wanting to be leaders but fit the definition of indecisiveness.

Indecision or being indecisive is killing first responders and I watch it every day.  I’ve finally had enough of it.  I’ve worked for many great leaders in my career and some very poor ones.  The difference between them were that the true leaders could make decisions, they were effective decisions.  Yeah they may have had some errors in them but they were open minded enough to make changed that benefited all.  When a leader puts of a decision, seeks committee, wants meetings to go along with meetings…  You’re telling us we’re not worth much.

In today’s world of leadership it appears to me to be about covering your ass or limiting liability. When did doing the right thing go out the door?  I also scoff at the leader that tells you what you want to hear and then never follows through.  Now you’re just placating me.  I really admire many leaders out there that I meet and I know which ones they are.  I remember dealing with a Chief who was trying to help his employee in a crisis.  In the room with him was the City Attorney who was advising the Chief that he could not do what I was requesting.  The Chief stood up and said I’m doing it anyways, this is about my officer.  That people, is a leader.  The message he sent to his troops was clear and resounding.  Guess what, the officer is thriving, the department is thriving because of a strong leader.  He lets them do their jobs and supports them.

How have I seen leadership kill first responders?  A crisis arises within a department or private company.  Leadership goes into an immediate “huddle”, not for the benefit of the employee rather for the benefit of the agency.  The decision gets pushed back after multiple meetings, consultation with executive staff and attorneys.  Reviews, meetings on the reviews and enough time has passed and the first responder has killed themselves.  Unacceptable!!!

If you lead an agency or private company that deals with first responders, for God’s sake please be a leader.  Make decisions, if politics drives your decisions maybe it’s time to find another career.  When it comes to the life and death of our first responders they deserve to be lead in the direction of good health and happiness.