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HELPING EMS & HEALTHCARE LEADERS REVIEW, REFOCUS AND RESET THEIR ORGANIZATIONS FOR SUCCESS. IN PERSPECTIVE
Volume 1 • JANUARY 2019
ARE YOU READY TO REVIEW, RETHINK, AND REFOCUS YOUR BUSINESS GOALS? It’s Time to Hit the RESET Button!
I t’s Monday … again. You walk into your office and toss your uneaten gas station bagel on the desk next to the now lukewarm coffee you didn’t get to drink because you were taking a bunch of calls in bumper-to-bumper traffic for the last 45 minutes. As you take that first sip of coffee, feelings of guilt surge to the forefront of your mind: you forgot to kiss your spouse goodbye and you didn’t have breakfast with the kids for the third morning in a row— even though you swore you would. Then you remember that you have to pack up files for the client meeting that will take you out of town for the next three days. You missed the neighborhood barbecue last weekend, you only made it to the last few minutes of your kid’s holiday play at school last night, and now it looks like you might have to go to bed early this weekend so you can cover another shift. Is this how you envisioned your leadership position, your marriage, and your family time? Is this the way you want to live until you retire? Will you look back 20, 30, or 40 years from now and say, “I wish I would have done things differently?” You know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I know the idea of making big changes might seem impossible — especially considering how hectic your schedule already is — but I’m here to tell you that it’s never too late to Hit the
RESET Button and take back control of organization and your life. Time is the only thing you can’t get back, so stop frittering yours away by doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same life- sucking results. You have the power to decide that you’ve had enough. You have the power to start a transformation in your organization. You can choose to Hit the RESET Button . Here’s how the five-step process works: organization’s strengths and weaknesses, what you like about your business, and what you want to see changed. E - Establish a Direction: You have to begin with the end in mind, which requires drafting a clear direction for your organization and laying out the action steps needed to make it happen. Wandering aimlessly or “going with the flow” is great for backpacking across Europe, but it’s no way to build a successful organization. S - Set Specific SMART Goals: Awish is just an unclear desire spoken into the wind, while a goal is written and shared. Use the SMART method to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-specific goals that your entire team can understand and work towards. E - Execute the RESET : Once you’ve worked through the inventory and set specific goals and a direction for yourself R - Review and Refocus: You need to complete a self-inventory of your
and your organization, communicate these goals to employees, partners, customers, and vendors. Then set a date to physically Hit the RESET Button . Hang this newsletter on your wall or go to my website, Holdsworth.com/reset, to print off your own button. I can’t stress how important this physical step is in the process. T - Tweak and Transform: No matter how specific your goals are or how passionate you are about your RESET , nothing is perfect. After all, as the old saying goes, “If you want to make the gods laugh, tell them your plans.” After you get 30 days into your plan, re-evaluate and allow for tweaks as you begin to see and enjoy the transformation. Don’t start 2019 feeling stuck, stressed, angry, or frustrated. Use this year to finally take back control of your organization and your life. Go to Holdsworth.com/reset to get started!
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‘WADING INTO CHAOS’ A Veteran Paramedic Recounts Some of His Most Precious and Tragic Moments
Picture this: “It’s raining, and reflections of our red and white lights are dancing off the buildings as we race down wet streets. Sirens scream, warning anyone who dares to wander down these dark roads at night. We make a final turn, and the scene comes into view. There’s a lone police car; its light bar dark so as not to call attention to itself. We follow suit, shutting down our lights and siren as we approach. A crowd has gathered in the center of the rain- soaked street. Awoman is screaming, being kept by friends or family members from falling down. Next to a wheelchair, a man lies crumpled in the middle of the road. The cop looks nervous as we roll to a stop and exit the ambulance. “He’s been shot — a lot,” the officer shouts from about 10 feet away. The murmur from the crowd of distraught onlookers grows louder. We know we’re going to have to work quickly to try to save the patient and get away from the scene for our own safety. We grab the heart monitor, oxygen, trauma bag, and the stretcher — for the fourth time this shift. Once again, we go wading into chaos …”
Paramedics and EMTs are the front line of the world’s emergency medical system. They are eyewitnesses to some of life’s most precious and most tragic moments. “Wading Into Chaos,” written by Bob Holdsworth, a veteran paramedic, gives you a firsthand, real-life glimpse into the chaotic Emergency Medical Services world. Ride along, and experience the emotions, the frustration, the sadness, and the dark humor that accompany what it means to be a first responder to fatal car crashes, 14-year-old suicides, inner city gang violence, train accidents, medevac helicopter missions, and the forgotten elderly who just need someone to talk to. Readers have called Holdsworth’s narrative “gripping and filled with action,” a book that provides insight into the stressful and rewarding but harrowing lives of first responders. One reviewer even said that that after reading “Wading Into Chaos” in just two days, she was inspired to apply for her master’s degree in nursing. For a firsthand look into the chaotic daily lives of paramedics and EMTs, you can find Bob’s riveting autobiographical novel on Amazon and Nook.
It Always Boils Down to Communication THE 3 C’S OF EFFECTIVE MESSAGES
I’ve been consulting in the health care field for 31 years and have noticed that when business owners from various fields have idle time to talk to one another, war stories and comparisons run rampant. As I listen to these conversations, it becomes clear to me that every one of the challenges we face in business — and in life — is a result of ineffective, inconsistent, or incomplete communication. Every business and every business leader is tasked with communicating the same overall messages about their organization but has to formulate those messages in nuanced ways to engage different groups of stakeholders. Effective communication is the key to every interaction. These three basic components can drive success — or failure. 1. CLARITY Clarity of message is important and deserves the time necessary to ensure that you are conveying the actual message you intended. Remove ambiguity, jargon, and confusing language, and speak as plainly as you can to ensure that the message is received properly.
2. COMPLETENESS Completeness of any message is critical to both acceptance and understanding. Several leaders I’ve worked with over the years have tried to write the shortest memos possible, thinking that brevity ensured readership. In reality, they ended up creating confusion rather than understanding. When your message provokes more questions than answers, it is poorly crafted. 3. COMPASSION Compassion for your intended audience is also essential. No, not the mushy kind — the kind that indicates you are communicating to them about them and informing them of something you feel they should know. I have long taught the principle of WIIFM (What’s in It for Me?), which is predicated on the idea that every piece of communication, marketing copy, and even training material should be focused on the consumer, reader, student, or recipient of the message and written to engage them as they apply their own WIIFM filter system. Regardless of the purpose of any message, apply the three C’s, and you will become much more effective as a communicator. In the end, every issue that you are dealing with right now at home, at work, or with friends has its roots in one place. It always boils down to communication.
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Fin’s Filosophy: WANT TO HEAR ABOUT MY GOALS FOR THIS YEAR?
Hello, everybody! I’m Fin, and I decided to hijack my dad’s
to pass my test so I could hang out with all the nice people in nursing homes and with the kids in school. So I begged my mom and dad to help me. Dad said that the neighbors would give him a hard time if they saw him with the walker contraption — he said something about being old, but I don’t really get the joke. Anyway, Mom helped me by taking me on strolls up and down the driveway while she used the walker. After just a few walks, I realized it wasn’t all that scary. Because I was able to get over being nervous and earn my blue ribbon, I think any other dog or human out there can do the same thing and reach their own goals. I’m not sure about cats or squirrels, though — do they even have goals? I’ll have to ponder this during my next nap.
You won’t believe it, but I have an even bigger test coming up! My 2019 goal is to pass my Therapy Dog exam. I guess if the goal is really important enough, you just keep
newsletter to bark about something very important: setting goals! As you can see from that super cute picture my mom took of me, I recently passed my Good Citizen Test with flying colors. When I think about it, I get so excited that my whole body starts to wiggle! To be honest, I hate tests, and passing this one was so much hard work. When I first started going to school, I loved getting to ride in the car, and I really, really, really loved all the treats I got to eat! Talk about positive motivation! But then the teachers showed me this big, scary, silver machine that people use to help them walk. My mom called it “a walker,” I think. I was very skittish at first, but I really wanted
working toward it and don’t give up. That’s what Dad says anyway. I’m not too nervous because I’ve been practicing all my tricks a lot at home, and I know so many commands now. Sometimes I feel like napping instead of practicing, so I’ll pretend I don’t hear my dad when he gives me a command. What can I say? A good snooze is hard to beat! Don’t tell Dad though — it will be our little secret!
CHICKEN CHOP SUEY INGREDIENTS
• 2 large or 4 medium chicken thighs • 3 pounds bok choy, cut into 3–4 inch ribbons • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 4 tablespoons water • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
Where’s the Fun?
Aquarius Capricorn Champagne Fireworks
DIRECTIONS
1. In large pot, boil three cups of water. Add chicken and reduce to simmer, cooking for 30 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool. Once cooled, remove skin and bones, chop, and set aside. Reserve the cooking liquid. 2. In a large skillet over high heat, heat vegetable oil. Once simmering, add bok choy and cook for 1 minute, stirring throughout. Add half of reserved cooking liquid, cover skillet, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer bok choy to a plate. 3. Add remaining cooking liquid and chicken to the pan, maintaining high heat. Heat chicken, then add oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch-and-water mixture, sesame oil, and bok choy. Season to taste, toss together, and serve over rice.
Freezing January Martin Luther King Jr.
Midnight NewYear Pig Resolution Toast
Inspired by The New York Times
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Hit the RESET Button and Get Your Team Back on Track! Inside of the Life of a Paramedic
It Always Boils Down to Communication
Fin’s Filosophy: On Setting Goals This Year
Chicken Chop Suey
What Happens to Military Service Dogs?
REUNITING BROTHERS IN ARMS
Sgt. Fieldy Comes Home
Fieldy and Caceres were all right, but one of the other Marines in their company was badly injured in the explosion. The injured Marine could not be evacuated by helicopter until the landing zone was secured. Fieldy found another IED in the area and alerted Caceres. The bomb was quickly disarmed, and the injured soldier was taken to safety. This wasn’t the only IED Fieldy found. His sharp nose and dedication helped save thousands of lives. After his deployment, Caceres returned home, but Sgt. Fieldy served several more tours without him. While Fieldy continued to protect soldiers and civilians by tracking down IEDs, Caceres worked tirelessly to make sure he could bring Fieldy home when his service was over. Military working dogs can be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement, or qualified
civilians when they retire. After three years apart and a total of four tours served, Sgt. Fieldy was reunited with Caceres. In 2016, Fieldy received the K9 Medal of Courage Award, and in 2018, he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for his service. “These dogs are out there with us,” said Caceres when he and Fieldy accepted the Hero Dog Award. “The dangers we face, they face them too. They deserve to be recognized. We ask so much of them, and all they want is to get petted or play with a toy. They’re amazing animals, and Fieldy is just an amazing dog. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for him.” If you are interested in supporting our nation’s working dogs or would like to adopt a retired working dog yourself, you can learn more at Missionk9rescue.org.
There are around 2,500 military working dogs currently in service, and their efforts help save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians every day. One of these brave military dogs is Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black lab who was trained to locate the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan: IEDs. Sgt. Fieldy was deployed to Afghanistan with his handler, Cpl. Nicolas Caceres, in 2011. Early in their deployment, their vehicle struck a pressure plate while they were on patrol.
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