Crisis Leadership | Gregory Ciottone | TEDxTallinn

Summary

In this poignant talk, the speaker recounts his experience as a leader during the 9/11 crisis, detailing the rapid mobilization of his Federal disaster medical team to Ground Zero. He describes the overwhelming devastation, the emotional and physical challenges faced by responders, and the critical importance of crisis leadership. The narrative emphasizes the profound impact of the event on all involved, highlighting the resilience and dedication of the team amidst the tragedy.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The speaker was awakened by a colleague's call about the 9/11 attacks, illustrating the sudden and unexpected nature of crises.
• 🏙️ The World Trade Center attacks were witnessed firsthand by the speaker, highlighting the shock and disbelief that crises can cause.
• 🚨 As the commander of a Federal disaster medical team, the speaker was immediately thrust into a leadership role, emphasizing the need for readiness in crisis situations.
• 📞 The activation of the speaker's team was swift and direct, showing the urgency and efficiency required in responding to a crisis.
• 🛫 The team had to mobilize themselves to the disaster site, a deviation from their usual protocol, indicating the need for adaptability in crisis management.
• 🏥 The speaker's personal life was put on hold, including missing his son's first day of school and his brother's wedding, underscoring the personal sacrifices crisis leadership entails.
• 📋 The speaker discusses 'carp mentalizing' or compartmentalizing personal issues to focus on the crisis at hand, a crucial skill for effective crisis leadership.
• 🚑 The team's task at Ground Zero was to set up medical stations, demonstrating the importance of having clear objectives during a crisis.
• 🏗️ The devastation at Ground Zero was described as overwhelming, emphasizing the emotional impact crises can have on responders.
• 🔍 The speaker recounts the dangers of Ground Zero, such as the risk of further building collapses, highlighting the need for constant vigilance and safety in crisis situations.
• 🤝 The speaker shares an emotional connection with a fire chief over a memorial fire engine, showing the human element and camaraderie that can arise in crisis response.
• 🛡️ The importance of accountability and intelligence in decision-making to ensure team safety is underscored by the speaker's leadership experience.
• 📉 The transition from search and rescue to search and recovery marked a shift in the responders' efforts and emotional state, reflecting the changing nature of a crisis.
• 🏡 The lasting emotional impact of the crisis on the speaker, including the difficulty of returning to normalcy, is a testament to the profound effects of crisis experiences.
• 🏆 The speaker expresses pride in his team's performance and his role in bringing them all out of Ground Zero safely, emphasizing the value of leadership in crisis.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the speaker's talk?

The main topic of the speaker's talk is 'crisis leadership,' with a focus on his personal experience responding to the 9/11 attacks.

How did the speaker describe the initial reaction to the news of the airplane hitting the World Trade Center?

The speaker described the initial reaction as disbelief, thinking either he was still sleeping or that it was an accident involving an airplane missing the tallest building in the world.

What was the speaker's role at the time of the 9/11 attacks?

At the time of the 9/11 attacks, the speaker was the commander of a level one Federal disaster medical team, part of the national disaster medical system in the United States.

How did the speaker's team get activated for the 9/11 response?

The speaker's team was activated through a phone call from Washington DC, instructing them to get their team and supplies to Stewart Air Force Base as quickly as possible.

What was the speaker's personal situation on the day of the 9/11 attacks?

The speaker's personal situation included missing his oldest son's first day of school and his brother's wedding, where he was supposed to be the best man.

What was the initial task assigned to the speaker's team at Ground Zero?

The initial task assigned to the speaker's team at Ground Zero was to set up medical stations to treat the injured.

What challenges did the speaker face in setting up medical stations at Ground Zero?

The challenges included finding safe locations for the medical stations, dealing with the emotional toll of the disaster, and managing the fear and uncertainty of the situation.

How did the speaker describe the physical environment at Ground Zero?

The speaker described the physical environment at Ground Zero as complete devastation with undulating piles of destruction, fires, and smoke everywhere.

What was the emotional impact of the 9/11 experience on the speaker?

The emotional impact on the speaker was profound, causing him to break into a cold sweat when encountering similar scenes in other disasters and having a lasting memory of the event.

What was the speaker's greatest accomplishment during the 9/11 response?

The speaker's greatest accomplishment was bringing 54 people into Ground Zero and safely bringing all 54 people out after two weeks of operation.

How did the speaker's team manage the transition from search and rescue to search and recovery?

The transition was marked by a decrease in the number of patients seen per day, reflecting the shift in focus and the realization that no more survivors would be found.