Saving Lives by Learning

How swimming up stream prevents devastation.

Take a look at what's happening. The Office of Personnel Management just authorized emergency hiring protocols in response to some of the worst catastrophes we've seen on US soil.

Fire departments sending thousands of employees, gear and vehicles to geos where flooding, hurricanes and other natural disasters strike.

Even in the face of some of the most paralyzing bureaucracy in the world, humans endure. We are resilient. We have a way of bouncing back and making improvements; when we do it.

If you are touched by what's happening, I encourage you to take note of what actions have a positive impact. Then I'd like to encourage you to "think up stream".

When you see people becoming homeless because of drugs, alcohol or divorce - figure out ways to alert people about how those are triggers! When you see hiring practices enacted, remember to start the wheels moving sooner.

There really is nothing like having a source of information (NOAA), and a checklist of things to do. It means you can respond quicker, more effectively and have more impact.

The same goes for any business. See revenue go up because of product innovation? Invest! See customer satisfaction dip because of a packaging change? Kill it with fire.

And learn from other industries - you might not be a fire-fighter, but I'll bet some of your meetings feel like you're going to die.