Who Are Your Role Models?

BY PAUL H. STEIN AND ETTORE A. BERARDINELLI

In previous articles, we have discussed the fact that everyone is really a teacher in some way, shape, or form and that our actions will always speak louder than our words. Our actions tell people a lot about our integrity, our commitment, and our enthusiasm toward our careers. When we are new in the fire service, we look to others for guidance, whether it is formal instruction or simply observing what appears to be positive and successful performance. We look for a “model of behavior” to follow to ensure our own success. This is pretty normal in any walk of life, from athletics to politics. Occasionally, we may realize at some point that we need to make a change, especially when our role model’s actions do not match up with his words.

A role model is someone who is so effective or inspiring as to be a model or example for others. So what does “role model” mean to you? Does the definition fit your conception? Who are your role models, and what traits do they display that inspire you to imitate them? There are many traits that are worthy of emulation-integrity, leadership, commitment, work ethic, talent, and many others we all seek to further develop in ourselves.

As firefighters, officers, or even parents, we are role models. Parents are their children’s first and most important role models, as children observe how we act and react and view how we cope with stress, anger, and good fortune. Children notice whether we are accountable for our actions or make up excuses, whether we deal with or avoid problems. Role modeling is not about what we say-it is about what we do. Everything we do sends a message. Good firefighters do their best whether anyone is watching or not. Good fire officers act in the best interest of their team members. Good parents act as if their children are always watching, because they are! People who set the example have credibility. One of the most critical leadership issues in the fire service today is the establishment and maintenance of respect and credibility. It is extremely important that those in positions of authority strive to maintain credibility with those they lead. There is no better way to acquire and maintain credibility than role modeling.

Famous and not-so-famous ROLE MODELS

We often select celebrities or famous persons as our role models. There is nothing wrong with that as long as we understand the behavior we are seeking to emulate. What do they display that has impressed you enough to emulate them?

For many people, Martin Luther King Jr. is their ultimate choice for a role model. He dedicated the major portion of his life to improving civil rights for others. He dealt with many setbacks, hostility, and disappointment. His commitment never wavered. King had a dream, and he never lost sight of his ultimate goal. Remembering how his words matched his actions, his level of commitment, and the obstacles he had to overcome, we learn how we, too, can strive to be committed to our careers.

For others, physical talent and commitment to a task may be what they are looking to emulate. Many believe that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. Beyond his physical skills, he displayed humility and kindness. Although he was arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, he had the courage to pursue a second career in baseball. Many of you are aware that Jordan’s attempt to become a major league baseball player did not turn out like his basketball career. In spite of the whole world watching, he was not afraid of disappointment. His message of persistence and commitment is best described by his own words, “I can accept failure, but I can’t accept not trying.” Once again, we see a man’s words matching his actions.

This is a great lesson for many firefighters who participate in the promotional process and aren’t successful. A person may rationalize that the system has somehow been unfair and use that failure as a reason for never trying again. A much better approach is to use your disappointment as a springboard for the next exam, develop a better study plan, make any necessary changes, and try harder next time. Jordan’s advice to you after a failure would be to think positive and create determination from the failed promotional attempt. Each failure provides some information that will get you closer to success. There are often roadblocks on the promotional trail, but obstacles don’t have to stop you. Overcome barriers using Jordan’s philosophy as an inspiration. His greatest triumph is his belief that the greatest failure is the decision to not even try.

J.P. Hayes, a 43-year-old professional golfer who hasn’t won a Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour event in six years, is our newest candidate for the “Most Honest Athlete in America.” He is one whose deeds have seldom generated a headline. Hayes disqualified himself from a PGA Tour qualifier when he found out he had accidentally used an unapproved golf ball for two shots-not for two rounds, not for two holes, but only for two shots! He realized his error after the round had been played, and his score for the day was safely recorded. His career was at the summit of a long journey, and he was the only one who knew of the error. Because of his personal sense of right and wrong and his commitment to the integrity of his sport, he did the right thing and “blew the whistle” on himself, with the clear understanding that disqualification would follow.

This public display of personal courage did not make newspaper headlines, but the lesson is more valid than winning. Integrity is really about doing the right thing when no one is watching. Although Hayes did not win his tournament, he wins our praise for integrity and for being an outstanding role model.

Most role models are not the rich and famous. They quite often are your Mom or Dad, an instructor from school, a good friend, or a co-worker. In a previous article, we discussed a firefighter named Don Thulin, who served as a tremendous role model for new firefighters (“Improving Your Organization: Everyone’s a Teacher,” Fire Engineering, April 2010, http://bit.ly/1o6EeFE). Although he never was promoted, he provided guidance to all the young firefighters he came in contact with and had a positive impact on shaping the personnel who made up our organization as well as the organization itself. He never wrote a mission statement or created an operations manual; he simply set a positive example every single day he came to work. He did this through his work ethic, his love for the fire service, and by unselfishly making time for anyone who needed help or guidance. He performed his job at the highest levels with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Although he retired more than 20 years ago, members of the department continue to speak of him in glowing terms. Think about it. Isn’t this the way you would want to be remembered by your organization?

Examples of role models are everywhere. We just need to take the time to recognize them. Remember the Fire Department of New York firefighters who, facing terrible odds on September 11, 2001, put aside any thoughts for their own safety as they carried out what has been called “the most successful urban emergency evacuation in modern history,” evacuating 25,000 people from the World Trade Center. Recognize the courage and commitment of the brave men and women currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan; the police officers whose daily patrols in your own city may entail any risk you can imagine; and the teachers who often spend their own money for classroom supplies, who work long after school is dismissed, and who dedicate their professional careers to educating our children.

Determine what kind of person and firefighter you want to be, what kind of reputation you want, and what kind of legacy you want to leave behind. Find those persons in your life whose actions exemplify the traits you admire, whose actions speak volumes every day. Use those role models as the motivation to be that better person, to seek that higher level, to truly have pride in that reflection in the mirror. And don’t be surprised if at some point you find out that you have become a role model for someone else.

PAUL H. STEIN is a retired chief officer from the Santa Monica (CA) Fire Department. After his retirement, he served as interim chief for the Lakeside (CA) Fire Department. During his 32-year career, he has been a supervisor for 25 years and also has served as a line officer, battalion commander, fire marshal, and training officer. He has an associate degree in fire technology and a bachelor’s degree in management and is a master instructor for the California Department of Education. He has developed a fire service expert witness service.

ETTORE A. BERARDINELLI is the retired chief of the Santa Monica (CA) Fire Department. He began his 31-year career with Santa Monica in 1972 and served as a firefighter, a paramedic, an engineer, a captain, a battalion chief, a training officer, and a deputy chief during his first 25 years. He was promoted to chief in 1997. He has a lifetime teaching credential and taught fire technology courses at Santa Monica College over a 20-year span. He retired in 2003.