By Sean Murdoch, MPA, NREMTP
I recently reached out to past co-workers to ask them about my approach to getting the job done, and what traits set our time apart from other leaders they have worked with.
As you know, public safety folks are usually a bit twisted in their sense of humor, and I knew I was opening a potential Pandora’s Box of abuse, embarrassment and good-natured ribbing, and thankfully, they did not disappoint. As I was sorting through some of the more colorful responses, a common theme emerged: “You were in the trenches helping. That was always huge morale boost.”
It made me think and ask the question, “Have we gotten away from not asking our employees to do something we are not willing to do ourselves?” In reading their responses, it really hit me that humility and leading without ego must be an EMS leader’s goal.
Fostering collaboration and trust
Humility is having a modest and respectful attitude, recognizing that no one has all the answers, and that learning is a continuous process. As a leader, humility is crucial because it fosters collaboration, trust and open communication. A humble leader acknowledges their strengths and weaknesses, values the contributions of others, and is willing to listen and adapt.
This creates an inclusive environment where team members feel valued and motivated, leading to better decision-making, innovation and overall success. Humility also helps leaders build strong relationships, earn respect, and navigate challenges with grace and resilience.
In my career, my secret for staying humble has always been reminding myself of one statement on a regular basis, “You’re not special.” Just because you are in a leadership position does not mean you are any more special than those who work on the front lines every day. There is no one role in an organization that is more important than another — there are just different responsibilities.
“It’s my scene, but it’s your patient.”
As a probie in the fire department, I was taught lesson No. 1: do what needs to be done. When it was my turn to have kitchen duty, I did it. When it was my turn to clean the bathrooms, they were cleaned. Once I left the ambulance and became a supervisor, those duties did not go away, but now I had more areas of responsibility.
Leadership is about influence, and the best way to influence your team is to do the work alongside them, doing what needs done and not forgetting where you come from.
Lesson No. 2 came later and was harder to learn. As a leader, my responsibility now became a supportive role, not one of patient care. It was now my responsibility to be a resource and not another medic; to stand by and ask, “What do you need?”
Whether it was a helicopter, a police officer, an IV needle or just to do my impersonation of a traffic cone, it was my job to provide what my people needed. It is vital to understand your role and when and where to exercise authority without becoming a micromanager. Your team signed up to treat patients and to grow, and we as leaders must let them.
Leadership is about serving others, not feeding your ego. Instead of making decisions based on pride or a need for recognition, a humble leader prioritizes the well-being of their team and the goals of the organization.
You must remain open to learning, admit mistakes when necessary and give credit where it is due. By leading with humility rather than ego, you foster an environment of trust, collaboration and continuous growth, ensuring that your leadership remains effective, ethical and inspiring.
[MORE | Flexibility and positive attitude: Keys to resilient leadership]
5 tips for leading with humility (and why they matter)
- Acknowledge your limitations. No leader has all the answers, nor do you have to. Lao Tzu said, “A wise man knows what he does not know.” Recognizing your weaknesses allows you to seek input from others, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
- Listen more than you speak and make decisions with others in mind. Prioritize understanding over being heard. Active listening shows respect for others’ perspectives and leads to better decision-making. Encouraging honest feedback from your team helps you stay self-aware and improve. It shows that you value their opinions and are open to growth. Consider the impact of your choices on your team and organization. This ensures ethical leadership and long-term success.
- Admit mistakes and learn from them. Owning up to mistakes builds trust and sets a powerful example for your team. It shows that failure is part of growth, encouraging accountability and continuous improvement. A humble leader remains a lifelong learner, understanding that there is always room to grow. Being receptive to new ideas keeps you adaptable and relevant.
- Give credit to others and express gratitude. Recognizing and celebrating the contributions of your team boosts morale and engagement, and demonstrates that leadership is about collective success. Regularly showing appreciation for your team’s hard work fosters a positive culture and strengthens relationships. Gratitude keeps leaders grounded and reminds them that success is a team effort.
- Lead by serving. Servant leadership puts the needs of the team first. Supporting and empowering others fosters loyalty, trust and a more productive work environment. Leadership should never be about status or power. Keeping your ego in check prevents arrogance, fosters stronger relationships and encourages collaboration rather than competition.
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Lead with integrity and purpose
Leading with humility is not about weakness; it’s about strength, self-awareness and a commitment to serving others. When leaders embrace humility, they create a work environment built on trust, respect and continuous growth. By practicing these principles, they inspire their teams, make better decisions, and ultimately lead with integrity and purpose.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Murdoch has over 25 years of experience in EMS and has been a front-line leader in various private and municipal EMS and fire departments. Sean currently works for QuikMedic as the area manager for the southeastern part of the United States.
