The Unwritten Rules of Baseball and Firefighting
Brian Simpson, PhD, compares baseball’s unwritten rules with the ones that run the firehouse, from where people sit to why members play through pain. He gives officers a simple test for each rule: does it make the crew better at the job, or does it only protect someone’s position? He argues that an officer who stays silent is making a leadership decision, and that the rules need to be said out loud.
The Vital Importance of Perspective in Public Safety Leadership
Brian Simpson, PhD, applies a fireground habit to leadership off the fireground: when in doubt, zoom out. He explains how stepping back helps incident commanders see hazards that people in the task miss, and how the same distance helps leaders judge workplace frustration more fairly. He argues that leaders who want better organizations must first control their own emotions and egos.