June 2007

Just Busy Fightin' Fires!                                                        June 2007

A typical Saturday at the Swindall house this time of year includes some yard work. There's a good chance I'll be shoveling some dirt, spreading some mulch, moving some rocks, pulling some weeds, cutting some grass, or trimming some hedges. My wife and I love that stuff, so we enjoy our typical Saturdays.

This past Saturday was anything but typical. I traded in my hedge trimmers for a piece of equipment designed to tear a car door off its hinges. I traded in my chain saw for a hydraulic tool designed to cut the roof off a car. I traded in my garden hose for a fire hose strong enough to spray a grown man across the yard. No, I haven't changed jobs or found a new hobby. I was going through a Citizens Fire Academy.

I've been to "awareness" programs before. They often use classroom time and PowerPoint presentations to make you "aware". But this wasn't a typical awareness program. This was a hands-on, experiential program. We could put on the gear. We could work with the extrication equipment. We could put out a car fire. I believe we were told to "do whatever you feel comfortable doing." I was supervised by well-trained firemen, so I did it all.

With the guidance of trained professionals, I helped tear apart a car utilizing the equipment commonly referred to as the Jaws of Life (which is actually a brand name used to identify several pieces of equipment in numerous rescue systems). I helped peel the door off using a hydraulic spreader. I helped cut the top off using hydraulic cutters. Then, in full bunker gear and an air tank strapped to my back, I rode in the fire truck with sirens blaring to a burning car and helped put out the fire. What an experience, and I have pictures to prove it!

It certainly wasn't a typical Saturday for me, but it was a memorable experience. I wasn't allowed to hang off the back of the fire truck, nor did they have a brass fire pole to slide down. I spent all day looking for a Dalmatian dog --- never found one. But in the process, I learned a few lessons, including:

Walk a mile in someone's shoes

Author Cynthia Ozick once wrote, "We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." Quite frankly, it's easy to take something (or someone) for granted when we haven't walked in their shoes (or for me, their boots). After I pulled on the boots, the pants, the jacket, the air tank, the gloves, and the helmet, the firefighters waited for me to take a step. When I did, I thought I was walking through quicksand. I got across the floor and was physically exhausted. All I wanted to do was take a nap. These men and women get all that gear on, then go out and fight to save someone's life or home. Amazing. It's hard to take someone for granted when you see the sacrifices they make.

The best learning is "doing"

There are three types of learners. Some people need to see it, some people need to hear it, and some people need to do it. Most of us don't like the "doing" part when we go through training. But research indicates that the likelihood of remembering and applying new concepts increases dramatically when we actually roll up our sleeves and "do" the new idea. I can tell you how to drive a car, but until you get behind the wheel and try it, you'll never truly understand how to do it. If you really want to learn something and have it stick, be willing to learn by "doing."

Pick your heroes wisely

So many people idolize professional athletes. Go to any professional sporting event and you'll see throngs of fans camping out to get an autograph of their "hero." In fact, a football player can demand millions of dollars a year for his time, risk getting "turf toe", play a mediocre game, and still have fans standing in line for his autograph when he gets finished with his work. A volunteer firefighter can demand nothing a year for his time, risk his life, save someone's loved ones, and have no one even recognize him when he gets finished with his work. We should appreciate those who entertain us, but we should use a much different standard when picking our heroes.

Perhaps the most important thing I got this past Saturday was a whole new respect for these men and women who risk their lives for people they don't even know. I got to learn about their work in a controlled environment. Their work is real, with pain and death a very real part of their job. I don't need to experience that part of their job to know we should appreciate them more. So do me a favor. The next time you see a firefighter, thank him or her for what they do.

Oh, and if you happen to be in the Texas Hill Country and see a car driving down the road without a driver's side door, tell him he shouldn't park near the fire station during a training session. How was I to know he worked next door? I guess we all learned something. Here's to the next lesson! God bless!

Enthusiastically, 

Clint Swindall - President & CEO

*Book Review

Indispensable, by Joe Calloway

Here's what I've been reading lately ...

Leadership is my passion, so I read business books related to leadership so I'll know what others have to say about the topic. At the same time, I run a business, and must constantly find ways to compete in a crowded industry of speaking and training professionals. To help, I turned to a book titled Indispensable: How To Become The Company That Your Customers Can't Live Without.

I enjoyed the book for several reasons, but I'll limit my review to the top two. One, the author (branding and competitive positioning expert Joe Calloway) writes in a very direct and conversational way. Two, he provides practical case studies that help prove the points he makes throughout the book.

As for content, Calloway lays out Five Drivers: (1) create and drive momentum, (2) develop habitual dependability, (3) continuous connection, (4) big picture outcome, and (5) engage, enchant, and enthrall. While there is too much to try to communicate the depth of the book in a short review, I can assure you that if you get just one idea from this book to help you become indispensable to your clients, you've more than paid for the book.

*Welcome New Subscribers

June Sets a record

We'd like to extend a special welcome to the new subscribers to Everyday Leadership. Although many new subscribers each month are audience members from a program I deliver, some simply go to the website and register. We're happy to announce that June (through only the first 12 days) is the single highest month we've had for website registrations. The good news of Everyday Leadership is spreading, and many of you are the reason. We appreciate you sharing the word!

For those of you who have just joined us, an archive of past Everyday Leadership newsletters is posted on the Verbalocity Web site. Regardless of when you joined the mailing list, you have the opportunity to enjoy any past issues. Welcome!

* Raise a Glass

A reason to celebrate

This month we raise a glass to public servants. Although federal, state and local government employees are often criticized, many provide essential services we rely on every day. They maintain the streets we use to travel to and from work, and they test the water we drink to ensure it is safe. They educate children, keep us safe, clean our parks, and save lives as police officers and firefighters. There are few areas of our lives that are not touched and enhanced by the work of public servants. Many may go unnoticed, but today, we raise a glass!

*Quotes

Inspirational thoughts

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
- William Arthur Ward

"Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls."
- David Thomas

"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated."
- William James

*Question to Ponder

Some time to think

There is a great deal of criticism of the younger generation today. I quite often hear that they're not dedicated and don't have a work ethic. I hear that they aren't willing to pay their dues and don't have the ability to focus. While that may be true for some in the younger generation (although I know a few old people that fit that description pretty well), I look around and see many young people who are stepping up and doing their part.

I think we sometimes stereotype people so quickly that we don't give individuals the opportunity to prove us wrong. Quite frankly, we do a disservice to ourselves every time we assume a person of a particular age will act (or react) a certain way. We've certainly done that with the younger generation. Many of the people I worked with this past weekend were from the younger generation, and they've chosen an honorable job, risking their lives for others.

The only way we'll ever give the younger generation the chance to prove their worth is by suspending judgment long enough to see their value. So that is my question for you to ponder this month. At the end of each day, I want you to ask yourself that one simple question ... was I willing to suspend judgment about a young person today to give them the opportunity to prove me wrong about my stereotype?