The paramedic and the other helper joined the stranded motorist in pushing the disabled Buick to the curb. Unfortunately, the motorist did not hop in the car to help control it from the driver's seat. As the Buick crested the top of the overpass and gravity took its hold, it became much easier to push. The Buick picked up speed until the stranded motorist became stranded by his own car cruising driverless toward the bottom of the hill. The motorist desperately ran after it, losing ground as the Buick picked up speed. Finally, the paramedic yelled at him to give it up, afraid that the distraught driver may trip and get crushed under the vehicle.
The Buick stopped at the bottom of the hill.
It was stopped by the car waiting in the turn lane at the intersection. That driver went to the hospital.
The Point of the Story
Gravity is the obvious point of the story. The driver should have been in the car while the others pushed. He didn't feel comfortable making the other two do all the work, but by not wanting to be perceived as lazy, he managed to wreck his car and injure someone else.
Managing emergencies requires leadership. Just like the motorist from this incident, leaders need to delegate, regardless of how it makes them feel.
Likewise, the paramedic should have insisted that the driver hop in and steer. Team members have the responsibility of encouraging leaders to lead, which means stepping away despite how much work that leaves for the rest of the team.
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