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.  

Emotional Intelligence & The #1stresponder

By Safe Call Now®'s Steve Gutzler

"Great leaders inspire us. They ignite the best version of ourselves. Most importantly, they motivate us to accomplish our best work and they make us feel important. 

 A leader who is capable of that inspiration and motivation has a high degree of Emotional Intelligence. Here are the basic competencies:

1.       Emotional Self-awareness - Leaders with high self-awareness are attuned to their inner signals, recognizing how their feelings and moods affect them and those they interact with daily. 

2.       Self-confidence - Self-confident leaders take on challenging assignments. They possess a sense of presence, poise, and self-assurance. 

3.       Emotional Self-management - Leaders with emotional self-control find ways to manage their challenging emotions and impulses. Staying calm and clear-headed is a hallmark of a great leader. 

4.       Transparency - Leaders who are transparent communicate their values and live them. They are open about their feelings, beliefs, and choices. They are leaders who can admit fault, apologize... and move forward. 

5.       Optimism - A leader with optimism can quickly shift from a problem and convert it in to a challenge to be solved. They see life through the lens of possibility and positivity. They believe the future can and will be brighter. 

6.       Developing Others - Leaders who are adept at cultivating abilities show a genuine interest in the success of others. They ask about their goals, strengths, what they enjoy. These leaders provide constructive feedback and lift the vision of those around them to see the next level of what's possible. 

Working with first responders, I find the #1 enemy to personal leadership effectiveness is their ability to manage their emotions. This is a challenge because of the stress hormone cortisol. 

#1stresponders and Overloaded Thinking...

By Safe Call Now®'s Steve Gutzler

I've learned a valuable lesson. My mind gives back to me exactly what I put into it. The greatest enemy to my best thoughts is to dilute it with information overload. 

I like to give myself ample space to reflect. This time is essential for me to assess where I am with my life and where I'd like it to go.  

“The best #1stresponders reserve time for quality thinking.”

 

The following are a series of questions I like to ask myself during my thinking time each week: 

• What is working well?
• What is not working well?
• What is the best use of my time this week? 
• What can I delegate or eliminate? 
• What am I putting off that I need to work on?
• Who do I need to invest in that will help multiply my impact and influence?
• Who do I need to stay in touch with today?

Remember, a few minutes of quality "thinking time" is often more valuable than an hour of surface level conversation or unplanned work. 

When you make thinking time for yourself this week, what questions will you ask yourself?

2016... A New Beginning

Safe Call Now®

“I called Safe Call Now® because my family was in crisis.  They helped us take the first step towards recovery and continue to provide resources to strengthen our family and hearts.”
Shawn Thomas, Deputy Sheriff, State of Washington

From all of us at Safe Call Now®  Happy New Year!  The holidays have passed, we all enjoyed family and friends and it’s time to make those New Year’s resolutions to better ourselves.  Traditionally, most of us start off strong those first few weeks of January; however, as time passes many of us return to our safe haven of our former self and eventually we fade back into our old routine and the promises we vowed to work so hard at suddenly dissipate.

I always ask myself am I living to pay bills or am I living life?  For me, a structured life is paramount to my health and wellness. It has taken me years, but I have finally learned the art of humility. I no longer waste precious time or energy cultivating a grudge. Everyone gets mad now and then, but staying mad is more likely to harm you than the one who triggered your grudge. "In life, you get a choice between being right and being happy." Instead, I try to direct my attention on the areas of my life for which I am profoundly grateful. I don’t make resolutions anymore as I have given myself the opportunity to live a happy and healthy lifestyle through routine.  I now work out every day as it does wonders for my body just as the physical activity improves my overall well-being and health. Exercise of any kind helps get you out of your head. It's not boring nor mundane, rather, it's actually a lot of fun! I no longer question or worry about what I need to do to stay healthy on a daily basis.  I already know and it is ingrained into my everyday life.  This also allows me more free time to do the things I want to do in life.  We at Safe Call Now® are excited to provide the services and training to get you back to a HEALTHY. HAPPY. LIFE. Here’s to an incredible 2016!

Safe Call Now® is excited to announce for 2016 our newly implemented training programs available this coming year:

• Safe Call Now's Family Healing Program that will help change the dynamics of our first responders and their family members and provide them the opportunity to heal and become a more healthy unit
• Financial Wellness tailored to all first responders and their families
• Emotional Intelligence Program designed for all first responders
• The Law, Legalities and the First Responder
• Yoga for First Responders allows you to take some quiet time to yourself. Being still may help you embrace the moment and appreciate your life.
• Safe Call Now® National Accreditation Program, which provides, labor, management and agencies to follow “best practices” when confronting the issues of mental health and substance abuse for our first responders.  The goal is to increase employee retention, health & wellness while lowering potential liability and litigation.  It’s based off of the highest documented success rates in the world and you deserve it.  We believe you deserve the ability to “Healthy hire and healthy retire”.