The Emergency Mind Project

How do high-performing teams leverage structured and creative approaches to operation during a crisis? In Episode 114 of The Emergency Mind Project, I dig in with Dr. Angie Loza-Gomez to talk about structure and mission in the worlds of emergency medicine and prehospital care. It's an awesome conversation - there's a link to the episode in the comments, an here's just a few of the many gems: ?? Know (and Flex) the Protocol - Protocols provide clarity and safety nets in high-stakes settings. At the same time, skilled providers may need to pivot in ways the written guidelines don’t fully capture. ?? Look at “Fallouts” as Opportunities - Deviations from protocol (“fallouts”) aren’t just mistakes. They’re catalysts to re-examine processes and improve training and systems. ?? Over Index on Defining Roles: Especially in complex emergencies, clarifying each team’s mission and responsibility upfront cuts confusion and boosts coordinated action. ?? Ask “What’s Your Thought Process?”: Especially on multidisciplinary teams, inviting team members to articulate their reasoning promotes psychological safety and deeper learning. ?? Work on Accountability Without Blame: Mistakes often stem from systemic issues as much as individual actions. A “just culture” means we hold each other accountable but also look hard at how the system can be improved. Hope you enjoy, huge thank you to Angie Loza-Gomez for joining the podcast! #EmergencyMind

In the face of ongoing operations, we can’t always pause after a crisis to give it the time and analysis it deserves—but if we’re committed to evolving as a team, we also can’t afford to blow past it. In my latest article for Psychology Today, I introduce "Layer-Cake Debriefing"—a structured method for debriefing built from the experience of struggling to balance limited time and resources as a team with a deep desire to learn and never waste the suffering of what happened. Layer Cake Debriefing has three parts: ?? Every event gets a Layer 1 debrief focused on recovery and regeneration, prioritizing immediate safety concerns and key fixes. ?? Most events get Layer 2 Debriefs, which involve a short pause followed by sense making / storytelling to help everyone involved build a deeper understanding of what actually happened. ?? Some events get Layer 3 Debriefs, which are more resources-intensive deep dives into learning and systemic change, designed to refine decision-making and find key reusable lessons. Article link is in the comments below. Curious what you think - hope you enjoy! Mission Critical Team Institute | The Emergency Mind Project #missioncriticalmedicine | #emergencymind

Learn the art of being "the glue" for multidisciplinary teams - on Episode 112 of The Emergency Mind Project podcast, I'm joined by the epic Paul Hughes MSc (with Distinction) FCIL. Paul had an incredible career in military intelligence as part of the UK Special Forces, and digs in with us on building shared situational awareness, the deep value of language training, and what Blackpool Rock candy has to do with elite operators. Link in the comments, hope you enjoy! (When you want more Paul Hughes, and you will, check him out on Channel 4's #Hunted and #CelebrityHunted !) #emergencymind

Multidisciplinary teams excel at navigating uncertainty and solving complex, rapidly changing problems. But, unlocking the potential of a cognitively diverse team requires more than just assembling talent—it takes practice and skilled leadership. In my latest article with Psychology Today—highlighted as an "Essential Read" in Leadership and Teamwork—I share actionable strategies to help your team “collaborate and operate” when it matters most. The article explores how leaders should: - Set the stage by defining clear roles and expectations. - Ask for pushback to uncover critical insights from every voice. - Build and use a playbook to align actions with shared mental models. - Dynamically adjust focus using an "aperture" approach to guide team energy. The link to the full article is in the comments—hope you enjoy! What are your go-to strategies for fostering collaboration in high-pressure, multidisciplinary environments? Mission Critical Team Institute | The Emergency Mind Project #missioncriticalmedicine

How do we develop effective, resilient leaders for tomorrow's challenges? In The Emergency Mind Project podcast Episode 110, I'm joined by Vinton Bruton to talk education, character, and leadership. Vinton is a USMC infantry officer turned educator and heads the Hampden-Sydney College Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to develop young leaders and build solid foundations of character in the coming generations through education and experiential learning. Hope you enjoy. #emergencymind #missioncriticalmedicine #leadership Episode link in the comments ??

In this episode of The Emergency Mind Podcast, Dan Dworkis MD PhD discusses high-pressure leadership with Andrew Rixon PhD FCHSM and Samuel Wilson. Andrew, a leadership coach and director at Griffith Business School, along with Sam, a social psychologist and founder of the Australian Leadership Index, share their experiences and research on emergency medicine leadership. Link is in the comments below!

Leadership lessons from the ER and beyond on performing at our best in crisis and emergency. This week Dan Dworkis MD PhD joined Dave Stachowiak on the Coaching for Leaders podcast to explore how leaders learn to handle the pressure and help their teams succeed in the highest-stakes moments. Hope you enjoy!

When in the pipeline do you start training to perform under pressure?

Epic conversation on learning to find and return to (and return again to) your center in high-stakes moments. Huge thank you to Mike Taigman, hope you enjoy.

How are teams around the world pushing the edge of #criticalcare? Dan Dworkis MD PhD hosts Patrick Schouwenberg on The Emergency Mind Podcast to talk about evolving intensive care and intensivist training. Enjoy! #missioncriticalmedicine