04/08/2025

What Leaders Can Learn from First Responders

The C-suite can learn a lot from how others deal with high-stress situations

When my emergency IAR app sounds at 3 a.m., there is no room for ego, second-guessing or hesitation. In that critical moment, all that matters is trust, teamwork and execution.

While I have spent decades in the corporate world, some of my most valuable leadership lessons have come from my experience as a volunteer EMS first responder. In the field, when I'm assisting in a life-threatening trauma situation or responding to a car accident, leadership is put to the test under extreme pressure.

But whether I'm driving an ambulance on a dark highway or guiding my company through turbulent times, the principles remain the same: Know your role, remove the noise, maintain a true north and harness the power of the collective.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.