The fire department just purchased a new Hazmat vehicle and showed it off by allowing the public to tour the inside. While the lower portion of the truck carries materials to help mitigate hazardous spills, the main function of the unit is to serve as a mobile command center if an incident occurs. The vehicle is equipped with computer equipment, whiteboards, a conference table, and can even project to screens on the outside of the truck. It literally is a high-tech mobile office.
Having a large proportion of the vehicle dedicated to planning and coordinating is a good reminder for how to lead. Instead of jumping right in and trying to fix things, everyone might be better off if you took time to assess the situation, develop a plan, and then share it widely. Especially in a crisis situation or when the stakes are high, you may be tempted to hurry up and “do,” but thinking first can prevent even more fires.
