High-Performance Wellness Solutions

In the high-stakes world of firefighting, it’s easy to fall into the trap of toxic competitiveness. However, when we focus on individual achievements at the expense of our team’s growth, we risk undermining the very foundation of our firehouse culture. It’s time to shift our perspective from a ranking mindset to an excellence mindset, moving from “you vs. me” to “me vs. me” and “us vs. it.”

The Dangers of a Ranking Mindset

When friendly competition devolves into toxic competitiveness, it creates a divide within the firehouse. Those who possess all the skills and have the favor of the brass may feel superior, while rookies and other members struggle to keep up. This ranking mindset can lead to a breakdown in communication, collaboration, and trust, ultimately compromising the effectiveness of the team.

Ranking Mindset
The ranking mindset emphasizes external validation, competition, and outperforming others.

Key aspects include:

• Extrinsic motivation: People with a ranking mindset are driven by external factors such as grades, titles, and being seen as better than others.
• Fixed abilities: They often believe that abilities are fixed and that success is determined by innate talent rather than effort and growth.
• Avoiding challenges: Individuals with this mindset may avoid challenges or situations where they might fail, as they fear it will negatively impact their ranking.
• Comparing to others: Progress and success are measured by comparing oneself to others and striving to outrank them.

(Weisinger & Pawliw-Fry, 2015)

Embracing an Excellence Mindset

To foster a positive firehouse culture, we must prioritize collaboration over competition by adopting an excellence mindset. This means being willing to step off our perch and meet our fellow firefighters at their level. It’s about sharing the knowledge and skills we’ve acquired, remembering that someone once helped us find our way.

Excellence Mindset
The excellence mindset focuses on personal growth, self-improvement, and striving to be the best version of oneself.

Key aspects include:

• Intrinsic motivation: People with an excellence mindset are driven by their own desire to learn, grow, and excel, rather than external factors like rankings or comparisons.
• Continuous improvement: They view learning and development as a lifelong process and continuously seek opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Embracing challenges: Individuals with this mindset see challenges as opportunities for growth and are not afraid to step out of their comfort zones.
• Self-comparison: Progress is measured by comparing oneself to one’s past performance, rather than to others.

(Weisinger & Pawliw-Fry, 2015)

Consider these questions:

• Are you able to turn down your background music to help others tune into theirs?
• Are you willing to go back to the basics to help those who are still learning?

There is no shame in helping, and there should be no shame in revisiting the fundamentals regularly. By stepping back and helping those behind us, we strengthen the entire team, and we, the ones sharing knowledge, are setting an example – hopefully, it’s positive.

Lifting Each Other Up

When we lift up our fellow firefighters, we create a culture of growth, continuous learning, and support. By sharing our knowledge and experience, we empower others to surpass us. This is the true mark of a successful team – one where every member is continuously learning, improving, and striving to be their best.

In my own experience, I have witnessed the negative impact of a ranking mindset firsthand. When we gatekeep skills and experiences, we leave our teammates and crews handcuffed to their limited experiences. Sharing learned skills and information from our experiences is essential, especially when we don’t all get called to battle in a balanced or even amount.

I remember a time when a fellow firefighter shared a valuable lesson with me early in my career about how a roof feels when it is compromised and likely before it collapses. ‘It’s soft and spongy. You will feel it. You will feel it in your gut,’ they said. Although this was a lengthy discussion, that small bit of shared experience and information has helped me navigate similar situations when operating on roofs with greater confidence and effectiveness. Had they chosen to keep that knowledge to themselves, I would have been less prepared to face those obstacles.

When we don’t share our stories, lessons, and failures, we hold onto valuable information that will save lives or help others. Often, we don’t know what we don’t know, and each shift isn’t always a treasure trove of experience. By openly sharing our knowledge, we create a firehouse culture that values continuous learning, growth, and collaboration.

Remember, it’s not about individual glory; it’s about the firehouse’s collective success. When we focus on an excellence mindset, where “me vs. me” and “us vs. it” are the guiding principles, we create an environment where everyone can thrive. Making space for everyone to find their niche can reignite their passion, focus, and dedication.

In the end, fostering a positive firehouse culture is about choosing collaboration over competition and embracing an excellence mindset. By turning down our own background noise, we can help others find their rhythm. By stepping back to the basics, we can lift up those who are still learning and deepen our understanding. By prioritizing the growth of the team over individual achievements, we create a firehouse that is stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to serve our community.

For more on Performing Under Pressure, I recommend further reading :

Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most

By H. Weisinger & J.P. Pawliw-Fry

Portions of this work were assisted by AI technology for purposes of structuring and initial drafting. Final edits and content refinements were conducted by the author to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the work.