Cite this post as:
Mike Lauria. What Would Google Do?. EMCrit Blog. Published on June 13, 2015. Accessed on November 30th 2021. Available at [https://emcrit.org/emcrit/what-would-google-do/ ].
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Unless otherwise noted at the top of the post, the speaker(s) and related parties have no relevant financial disclosures.
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thanks Mike for the thoughtful post I guess I read “Grit” as “Resilience” I must say its one of the priority qualities I look for when recruiting new Flying Doctors. Two of our best recent recruits are both ex Aussie military and it clearly shows. They just arent phased by anything. The Aussie Navy elite UDT clearance operators talk about finding the”Grey man” in their selection process ( bit sexist but no female has ever made UDT selection) The Grey man is someone who doesnt stand out as excellent in any single quality but is just solid across all fields… Read more »
The term, “grey man” is use quite a bit differently in my roamings. It is skill, competence, lethality without any of the flash. The grey man blends in and won’t be picked out from a crowd (and therefore doesn’t become a target). He or she wears unnoticeable clothing rather than tactical gear. No visible weapons, no bumper stickers, no molle-laden bags, etc. Basically the opposite of a mall-ninja; who has all the right gear and none of the skills. In the EMS world, the latter would be stroker/wanna-be who has a med kit with every conceivable item (often as expensive… Read more »
Scott, thanks for feedback I think Grey man concept is same down under from what you write. Doesnt stand out during selection but is last one standing at end of selection. in my Flying Doctor recruitment process, I see it like the ones with the flashiest looking CVs and who talk big during interview. they dont last its the quiet ones who listen more than talk. dont stand out from the crowd as exceptional. Throw them into a MCI or remote trauma, they thrive. thats counterintuitive to medical culture. typically we look for the smartest, most confident. that doesnt always… Read more »
I had to double check my facts
first female navy clearance diver in 2013
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/navy-salutes-first-woman-clearance-diver-20130312-2fyho.html
Mike,
Fantastic post, brother! I see some Duckworth psych literature in my future. Regarding your question of what attributes are most important in becoming a great resuscitationist, I’d posit:
1. Grit
2. Genuine empathy
3. Interpersonal communication skill
4. Intelligence / medical knowledge base
5. Efficiency
Empathy is the toughest to teach. Grit is teachable to a degree, but the only way to learn it is to surround yourself with a bunch of gritty SOBs.
Reading your post, it struck me that your definition of grit is pretty similar to Collins’ definition of Level 5 Leadership.
Carpe diem,
Bill
Awesome. Thanks so much, Bill. This offers great insight. I’ll have to check out Collin’s definition of “Level 5 Leadership”. I don’t believe that I’m familiar with this.
Thanks
The reference is a book by Jim Collins, “Good to Great.” Best business / leadership book I ever read, because it’s completely evidence-based, not just conjecture.
Finally got around to reading “Good to Great.” Thanks for the recommendation, Bill.
It is great to see people explore how the mind works in our specialty. I would offer though a counterpoint to some of your observations. Terms such as “grit” and “mental toughness” belie an underlying sense of struggle with what we do. “To fight through difficult moments” suggests that there is an underlying conflict in taking care of people that must be won. I think coming at it from this perspective has some serious draw backs. Not every case we see is a resuscitation. In my practice I see about 5% critical care, the rest deals with the daily human… Read more »
Hey Sid, Thank you so much for bringing up that point. You know, I never quite looked at the language from that perspective. Although I have generally been discussing these ideas within the context of resuscitation of the critically ill and injured, I guess I didn’t really look at the connotation of the words from that perspective. What a beautiful and interesting way to approach the idea. I was rock climbing with a friend one day and he said, “Quit trying to fight your way up! Relax and yield to rock. It’s your friend, not your enemy.” Your observation made… Read more »
Mike, Letting things go is really important in what we do. You can’t let everything go and shouldn’t but taking in the current situation without judgement and ego can be essential. On occasion, I have to deal with conflict events involving physicians. When I talk with the physicians involved, it is inevitable that the situation surrounding the outburst was stress laden. That stress is usually sparked by fear. A discussion on fear is a totally separate topic but I think it does come into play when you think about the most effective mindset when working in the ED. You cannot… Read more »
Excellent post and comments. To me Grit is not so much approaching every situation as if it is a fight or a struggle, but having the metacognitive abilities to see when your mind and body are leading you into that mode of operation. That recognition allows you to take control of your thoughts and emotions, which in turn helps you control your physiology and get to that place that Sid is talking about where you are malleable, aware, and able to use your energy to the best effect. Being in “fight or flight” mode with multiple patients a shift is… Read more »
Hey Phil,
Excellent point about avoiding the “fight or flight” overload and extension into inappropriate areas of your life…like home. Thanks for commenting.
-Mike
Mike Firstly let me say I am really impressed with all of your postings and guest lectures, as your former profession is very close to me as I am a former BLM Smokejumper about 5-10% of our population were ex-SF operators. I can say with great pride and enthusiasm that my mentor, roll model and friend was a former Cpt. with a SF Mountain Team. Eric taught me more about GRIT than I thought I could ever know. He was one of the most humble, quiet professionals that I had ever worked wtih as many of the postings have stated… Read more »
Hey Dustin, Thanks for commenting. I have the utmost respect for smokejumpers and the entirety of the wildland fire service. You guys truly understand grit. You know, this is something that I go back and forth on constantly. I think you’re right. On one extreme of the spectrum, some people simply don’t have grit. On the other hand, others seem to naturally develop it and it shines through guiding them through their lives and careers. However, it seems there are a thousand shades of gray. So, I agree, it can be nurtured, developed, and perhaps trained. The question is, in… Read more »
Mike Thanks for the insightful relpy. I am in agreement with you on the back and forth off are people just natural born operators, doctors, or flight clinitions? After all it is easy to acknowledge those who are just naturally talented and the have the skills, and personality to own these high end positions. However the most rewarding moments in my career either as a Smokejumper and as Flight Nurse has been to take on that person who has the GRIT and just does not know it and push, and polish them to a high level, I feel there is… Read more »