“10 Pounds of Pressure, 100% of the Time”: How to Make Things Happen
I posted on Facebook a quick thought about this quote and want to expand and reach deeper.
When starting in the fire service, my goal was to get a job and love every minute of it and when I got the job, my passion for the profession accelerated. After a few years, there was always the possibility of going to a bigger and busier department to experience more calls, more often. When I wrestled with this thought, my focus always came back to, what will be my role?
Staying in a smaller department allows for many different opportunities that I otherwise would not have had. In smaller organizations, the involvement in department projects, operations’ and shaping the future of the organization is much easier. I have served in many different roles with prevention, training, developing a Health and Wellness Program, Engineer’s Training program, Recruit program, in the Special Operations Division, and many other projects which all helped me learn the fire service and have an impact for the organization and our citizens.
Early in my career, my passion wasn’t always expressed in a non-favorable way. I would want things done quickly and my way. If people didn’t agree with me, I would write them off. I would criticize their commitment to the job and question their understanding of the fire service. I have been told that I am idealistic about the fire service. I have a vision of what I think it should be and I try to uphold that expectation, even if those expectations are unrealistic. I was 100% go and if your not on board and in my way, I would run you over.
As I spent more time in the fire service, talked to mentors and conducted self-reflection, I realized several things. Number one, not everyone can have the passion or drive that I do and it’s not sustainable over an entire career. I would assume most people who are labeled the 1%ers would agree. Its hard to keep up the pace of 100% over 30 year career and that’s okay to have ebb and flows because I have been there. The most important thing is to ensure you are always coming back to the career you love in a positive way. It also important to note that your intentions must be pure. Approaching things with the highest integrity, doing the right things for the right reasons, it’s important. Selfishness and egos do not have a place in the fire service. Your intentions should always be focused around providing the best service for your citizens and community above all else.
Number two, my brash action were not helping me get things done or make positive change. This could simply be because I didn’t understand the background information because I didn’t ask question or people didn’t want to listen just because of my previous behaviors. My passion for the fire service and to improve the organization actually resulted in the exact opposite.
I found a balance in an approach which have drastically changed how approach discussions, changes, and my involvement in my organization. This has come with my pursuit of continued self improvement through education, reading, and professional development. I would encourage everyone to take an active approach toward self-improvement and life-long learning.
As the quote says, “10 pounds of pressure, 100% of the time”. I recently heard this quote and sums ups my approach when I want to make changes. Previously, it was punch them in the face and hope they comply. Now, the approach is about playing the long game. Changes don’t need to happen now, even though I still struggle with that, it’s about making the department better over the course of our careers. Drastic changes are usually opposed so gradual change allows time for adjustments and acceptance.
If I have any advice for those young hard-chargers, your behaviors at the beginning of your careers will carry with you throughout. Even if you dedicate yourself to growing as a person and leader, some will always perceive you in that light. Its hard for people to see change, sometimes because they lack direct interaction or because they carry the past with them and fail to view you without bias. I would say and have been told, that I have grown over the years in the fire service and that’s important for everyone. Now, I am not saying I am perfect, far from it, and no one ever is. The most important aspect for everyone is the pursuit of coniutned self-improvement and growth. It doesn’t matter where you were or what you did previously, its where you are now, but more impotently, where you are going. We all use to suck our thumbs and where diapers, but we don’t do that anymore, so why are people so keen on the past and disregard for growth? Some, because of their own insecurities or they may feel threatened, others, because they have failed to grow themselves.
I want to make it completely clear that I am not say we should just be a conformist, because diversity grows organizations and innovates. I am currently reading Originals: How non-conformitist change the world by Adam Grant. We need to be able to stand up and voice our concerns and pose new ideas but use tactful methods in doing so.
It is also important to know that in some circumstances, you may have to run people over or “punch them in the face”, not literally but figuratively. There are times where brut honesty is required and should be encouraged. Its important we are able to identify those situations and still conduct ourselves in a positive manner.
To make things happen require a tactful approach and not being over the top or in your face with your stance. Sometimes the biggest changes need time to mature or the right timing for the organization. In Originals, Adam Grant talks about timing of changes and uses a story from the CIA. A young analyst seen the need for the implementation of a system to allow different clandestine organizations to communication better. She presented this prior to 9/11. She became frustrated and left her current post for another assignment. Years latter, post 9/11, the CIA approached her on her original item and was able to implement the system. It’s about timing. She forecasted the need for this resource but others failed to see it and her approach was off-putting. She became for frustrated she needed up leaving because she felt so passionate about the project but had no support from her organization. After she was able to gain experience in dealing with different situations and the need was realized by others, she was successful with her project.
Making changes, especially in traditional organization, takes time and even some indirect suggestions, letting others come to the conclusion. When presenting a proposal or suggestion, ensure you have many different perspectives talked to a diverse group of people and not always your go to people. You need to talk to those who may disagree with you. This allows you to find a solution to their concerns.