Leadership
in Action

I am honored to be invited to contribute an opening letter to future EMS leaders for the book you are compiling: Leadership in Action: The Wisdom and Stories of EMS Innovators, that celebrates leadership and innovation in Emergency Medical Services and features the advice, lessons, and stories from more than forty of our nation's most respected EMS leaders who have shaped the system we know today. The aim and objective of your efforts coincide with the goals and objectives of The Panetta Institute for Public Policy, which is to attract thoughtful men and women to lives of public service, helping them master the policy process and develop their skills as future leaders.

Each year the Panetta Institute sponsors two programs that especially focus on leadership, the Congressional Internship Program and the Education for Leadership in Public Service Seminar, the latter which invites student body presidents from the California State University System and three private universities to learn from exceptional leaders representing all walks of society. Recently, we invited Admiral William McRaven to speak on the foundation for his Navy Seals' success in bringing Osama bin Laden to justice. He highlighted non-partisan teamwork; fact-based analysis; relentless focus on a national priority; self-sacrifice; rigorous and objective debate among a team striving for a clear goal; and humility in the face of victory.

During that same seminar, a student asked me my five best leadership lessons and I answered: set clear goals; develop the best strategy to achieve those goals; build a strong team and empower them to do their job; be honest with your team; and be honest with yourself. I believe that your collection addresses and amplifies the key elements of both Admiral McRaven's and my insights.

But let me emphasize an aspect of the EMS experience that is not always explicitly or publicly highlighted and is crucial at this moment in America's history. And that involves the question of Taking Action: Is it wise to step forward against criminal aggression and hooligans in a public setting? Is it a moral duty to do so? This correlates with what many scholars see as a major social evil today, the breakdown of community — a reduction in the people's sense of mutual responsibility and concern as members of society.

Further, given the commonality of weapons in the United States, more of our citizenry are inclined to think that the person who turns away instead of stepping forward with courage is not being cowardly but rational. It seems like common sense now not to get involved. This is where I believe the EMS example is particularly salient — more and more of our citizens witness the effectiveness, the courage, and the successes of EMS personnel, and are implicitly persuaded to help others. In an important way, then, the sense of belonging in our society is vitally enhanced, which is the richest sustenance that any people can have.

Again, Mr. Woodyard, thank you for this opportunity to address the leaders and members of the illustrious EMS organizations. One of the aims of our great democracy is to raise people as closely as possible to the ideal of excellence in their chosen calling and that means providing the leadership of the best and most demanding kind. That is what you are admirably trying to do, and this book is a great step forward in that direction.