Did you know that if performed immediately, CPR can double or triple the chance of survival from an out of hospital cardiac arrest? In my opinion, CPR training should be mandatory.
No, thankfully, I didn’t have to use compressions or an AED (automated external defibrillator) on anyone over the weekend, but if I had to, I now could – with confidence.
On Saturday I took a 6 hour CPR, AED, and first-aid course and I can’t believe this isn’t required training for everyone. Sure, some of it is common sense, some of it you can Google, and some you likely learn if you’re a parent or caregiver. But when faced with a medical emergency or in a remote environment we don’t want to rely on Siri. So, having this knowledge (coupled with practice) can literally be the difference between life and death.
These are the types of life skills I wish we had been taught in elementary and high school. It’s right up there with financial management and wealth building, nutrition and holistic wellness, negotiating, stress management, and the compound effect. But, it’s never too late to get the education and training you need!
Here’s what I would ask you do as the founder, CEO, leader, or Force Multiplier in your company:
- Check to see if your company has an AED on-site. Know where it is and if it is charged, not expired, and ready to go. Make sure others know where it is too. If you don’t have one, ask to include it in next year’s budget.
- Encourage your company to host a Heartsaver® CPR AED course. I highly recommend a hands-on skills session.
Just asking the question and bringing this information to your organization can make a difference. At the very least, equip yourself with this knowledge. Your first line of defense in any situation is being capable, confident, and willing to act.
You never really know how you will react in a crisis, until you’re in one. But you can be prepared by taking care of your health, learning lifesaving skills like CPR and first aid, and perhaps most importantly, honing your situational awareness skills so you can be ready for whatever comes your way.
We’re training for life here. Be prepared. And stay safe!
– Hallie
P.S. For more information about Heartsaver® Courses, click here. You can also check with your local ambulance services to see if they offer classes.
On the Blog
Delegate or Die – Why Entrepreneurs & Force Multipliers Must Start Delegating Today
Not all leaders are hesitant to delegate. Some live for it! But, it’s important to understand why some leaders are resistant to delegation so that their team (and especially their Force Multipliers) can help. Good delegation could be the difference between success and failure of your company or your career. Something worth considering the next time you find yourself saying, “I’ll just do it myself.”
Weekly Top 5
- Y Combinator co-founder Peter Graham’s essay on ‘founder mode’ has sparked an interesting debate. Is hands-on leadership a la Steve Jobs (aka founder mode) or a more traditional ‘manager mode’ a more effective way to grow a company? Is ‘founder mode’ just micromanagement in disguise? As with most things, it’s probably relative. Check out Graham’s essay and decide for yourself.
- Sylvia Ann Hewlett shares some interesting info in the article, “The New Executive Presence: Has a Difficult Decade Changed the Definition?” The importance of executive presence for leaders is unquestionable. But what does executive presence look like today? And how does authenticity factor in? And one big reminder – executive presence is a measure of image (and how you inspire other’s to have confidence in you), not a measure of performance.
- If you’re ready to take your writing, your health, your career, your relationships, your latest project, or your life more seriously, you’ll need to stop being an amateur and adopt the mindset of a pro. Turning Pro: Tap Into Your Power and Create Your Life’s Work by Steven Pressfield will show you the way. Go pro! You’ll be glad you did.
- I couldn’t help but wonder… Who do you need to stop giving answers to? CEO, entrepreneurs, and Force Multipliers – I know it’s nice to be needed. It’s even better when we have the answer or the perfect solution to a problem. But if we keep giving the answers, we’re never really helping the other person grow their thinking, problem-solving, or decision-making skills. We think we’re helping when we may be inadvertently stunting the growth of our team. Teach a man to fish, you know? So, this week, take a minute and consider, who do you need to stop giving answers to? Instead, could you ask a great question and help them find the answer on their own?
- “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” —Steve Martin. Whenever I catch myself getting sucked into the debate around EA titles, or why assistants don’t get the respect they deserve, or find myself in one comparison trap or another, I always go back to this quote. When you’re “so good” not only will people not ignore you, opportunities that you didn’t even know existed open up. It’s a reminder to focus on the only thing you can control – YOU. Everyday, you have the opportunity to be better. Be your best and forget the rest.
