IAFP reaches long awaited goal
My father-in-law was a World War II fighter pilot. A career in the Air Force turned him around in the world. Now retired in Santa Barbara, he works on the home he built and coordinates projects involving preservation of the history of his fighter groups. And he sends us articles. About once a month we receive a large manila envelope in the mail that contains articles, news clippings, and internet topics, some highlighted or with scrawled notes. No secret spy stuff. All of this is his way of communicating his interest in politics, business, and world affairs.
Mixed in the last anthology, among the investment tips, home improvement advice, and pros and cons of Social Security reform, was an editorial titled “Talkers and Doers.” Nothing noteworthy attracted the attention of an air medical provider, but an interesting question did arise.
Which are you? A talker or a doer?
Before you choose, remember that individuals generally are one or the other but can be both. Talkers tend to be famous and influential. Tools of the talker are the pen, the press, and the podium. Doers simply change the world by chipping away, day after day. Tools of the doers include innovation, perseverance, and ingenuity. For example, the inventors and the industrialists of the early 1900s were doers. The individual engineers and machinists who transformed the automobile from a novelty to a necessity changed the economic and social fabric of the world forever.
Henry Ford is a great example of both a talker and a doer. Ralph Nader is quite famous. Indeed he is known as somewhat of a prophet in consumer protection arena. He is a talker. The foundation of his reputation is based on critiquing others.
Of note in this article is the lack of value distinction between talkers and doers. What the author does postulate is that in our world of media and information, we need to remember that talkers don't change the world alone. We all need ideas, inspiration, and motivation. Without unsung innovators who simply roll up their sleeves every day, though, the ideas come to naught and nothing changes.
The air medical industry is vitally concerned about safety. And well we should be! Industry leaders rack their brains to make some sense of the spike in accidents and, more importantly, to figure out how to arrest that trend. All the good advice and good intentions in the world do no good unless several someones roll up their sleeves. Just like the auto industry, changes that shape our industry come when the doers chip away at the safety issues day after day.
How many doers are reading so far? What do you do each and every day for safety? Do you:
•Expect, participate in, and initiate a safety briefing every shift? This means the TV-off/no crossword/current-weather safety briefing every 12 hours (each time a crewmember changes).
•Make sure all crewmembers' seat belts are fastened prior to take-offs and landings and whenever possible during patient care? Set an example and be the enforcer.
•Always wear your helmet with shield? Have to buy your own? Do it. Shield too scratched to see through? Get a new one. Worried about messing up your hair? How about messing up your brain? Seat belts and helmets aren't just for crashes and hard landings; they are for bird strikes, turbulence, avoidance maneuvers, and, yes, even hearing protection.
•Check your aircraft and equipment every shift? This is for every crewmember, every shift, and after every mission. Report what you find, both good and bad. If the bad things don't get resolved, keep after it. It is equally important that we recognize the excellence that occurs around you.
•Support and mentor new crewmembers? Air medicine is not the place for hazing or sink-or-swim orientation. Truly competent air medical professionals are comfortable enough in their own abilities that they can gracefully support others. In simpler terms, how often do the words “rookie,” “newbie,” “stupid,” or any other creative variation come out of your mouth when referring to a fellow crewmember? If your partner is “stupid,” it's at least partially your fault! If you are as good as we all expect, you're good enough to help them. (Dispensation given, you will occasionally run in to “attitude.”)
•Model excellence in professional behavior? This includes everything from patient respect to continuing education to cleaning the crew quarters' bathrooms. “Somebody else's job” and “just doesn't matter” attitudes insidiously sneak from crew quarters to the aircraft to missions before anyone is aware.
•Wear your flight suit to the grocery store? Think about it like a police officer's Kevlar vest or the firefighter's SCBA. When you don that uniform, you are now on the job. This is serious business. Your life, health, and the lives of those around you may depend on your professionalism. Quite a different mentality than cruising for a date.
That was my talker phase. Now I'm off to wash my uniform to be ready to roll my sleeves up at work and make a difference.
And if you're ever out in Santa Barbara and are interested in P-47s, Uganda, Mediterranean food, or home construction, I know a fighter pilot who's still both a talker and doer. Oh, yeah, he has some strong opinions on safety, professionalism, and when a fun job becomes serious business.
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