I remember a technique I learnt as a member of the Nigerian Red Cross society (Leader rank). A First Aid technique you should learn to apply in life whether or not you are a First Aider or a leader.

And the thing about first aid is that, a First Aider is most likely not a doctor, so he will need help to get [to] the doctor or do certain things. We all need help to do a lot of things in life, so this skill is beneficial to you as an individual. But let me state a typical first aid scenario/accident scene.

Let us assume a scenario that usually plays when accidents happen. Everyone is either running away from the scene for the risk of explosion or for the fear of the graphic scene. Some people stay around and watch the whole thing go sideways, screaming. Some stand there, watching like Satan’s only begotten son, stone-cold and emotionless. Others filming, you know, all that stuff you see on TV. While some skilled/trained persons attend to the casualty(ies).

So this is why a good First Aider assigns task(s) to specific spectators. He never makes the mistake of saying something like: “Could somebody please call an Ambulance?”, “Could somebody please help me lift this man’s leg?” No. He never says such things. Why? Among the people standing and watching him attend to the casualty, is an evil spirit, hovering on top of their minds and giving them marvelous thoughts that are breath-taking:

Some persons are there thinking;
“Good, I think this man knows his job. He appears to be well-trained.”
“Oh, wonderful technique, I haven’t seen this done before… Wow.”
“Does he want to collapse his chest by compressing it? Ish!”
“Common, I should leave this place… what if something worse happens?”
“Oh… This coverage would make a wonderful headline.”

Is that not marvellous? It is amazing really. And this is why everyone thinks SOMEONE MUST BE MAKING THE CALL ALREADY; while in the actual sense, NO ONE IS MAKING ANY CALL. No one is doing anything. They are all there waiting to see what will happen next. Will he die or survive? They are expecting an Ambulance no one beckoned. That is human being; our wiring is funny. We often shy away from responsibilities, most especially when it is left open to everyone.

Hence, the training as a First Aider: assign specific task to specific people on the scene of accident. Do not make the responsibility open to everyone. Else, nobody will do it. The word “command” is often used—like, command someone to do the task. But for the sake of this post, I will exempt that tone of command as it would do more damage in a not-so-graphic scenario than on an actual accident scene where emotion is so high.

The First Aider is taught to say it this way instead: “Man on Blue Jacket and White hat, call an Ambulance.”; “Woman on purple trousers, help me hold this.” He says this while he continues with the rescue procedures. With that, he has assigned the responsibility of saving the casualty’s life to whoever he mentions. He has communicated to them that the call/action is critical to the survival of the casualty. Not many can pick up that responsibility. I mean not many can stand being responsible for the death of an helpless man at the brink of dying. They would quickly do the task. “I don’t want to have blood on my hands” kind of stuff.

So, I applied this a few times in my life and the result was amazing. This skill is particularly helpful if you are a Leader (permanent head) or you are charged temporarily with the responsibility of leading a group to perform a certain task. It usually gets the group to achieve their goals. I used it in practical classes as a group member/lead.

More so, you can use this technique as well when you need something from people to complete a project. I mean when you want help or assistance in any form. See, instead of going to your social media app and just posting to the public that you need assistance from friends and family, tag specific people you would like to help you. Better still, send them a private message that you need their assistance. There is no manipulation involved.

To make a responsibility open-ended is to risk not getting the job done. It recently happened to me. I needed help with something, so I posted it on my WhatsApp status but nobody responded. I then decided to be direct, to employ this technique again. Well, as expected, it worked. Until I messaged friends directly for their assistance, I did not get one. The public post was just there as though I was talking to myself. Do I blame them? No. Everyone was probably thinking, “Oh! Someone else is on it.” You remember that evil spirit on the accident scene? Yes. It exists on social media as well. Sometimes, I just wonder if Satan understands coding, too.

Downside of the technique for a Leader

However, I had hit roadblocks a few times in the past in an attempt to use this technique. People tend to misconstrue the intention for being bossy and controlling. This happens because, most times, unlike the accident scene, people tend to be more relaxed. They often feel like THIS TASK IS NOT A DO OR DIE THING—you know, the nonchalant attitude. Yes, relating with humans could be a little challenging at times. More reason you must exempt the “command” that First Aid teaches.

Well, you can get through this using this approach.

1. BE FRIENDLY AND RESPECTFUL WHEN YOU ASK CERTAIN PEOPLE TO DO CERTAIN TASKS FOR YOU OR THE GROUP YOU LEAD

State the importance of the task in a respectful and friendly manner. Not everyone likes to be ordered around. This differs from an ancient scene. Though to be respectful in tone, not necessarily friendly, could be an added advantage on an accident scene but it makes little or no difference because everyone is likely tensed already (vulnerable) and mostly wishing nothing other than the casualty’s survival. Many would not even mind if your tone was disrespectful. What is more important to them is the casualty’s survival. No wonder hospitals still get filled up with sick people even though the Doctors and Nurses are rude. But this is not the same for a group-leader relationship or a friend-friend relationship. It creates an unhealthy interpersonal relationship which is what you need for people to help you.

2. BE INVOLVED

Do not just sit back and ask people to do things while you are busy relaxing. Be active too. Just like the First Aider who picks up the responsibility of keeping the casualty alive till the ambulance arrives, get your hands working. Leaders, they say, lead by example.

3. DO NOT COMPEL ANYBODY TO DO CERTAIN TASK FOR YOU OR THE GROUP

Most especially if it is a large group and the task is critical to the success of the group. It will only create more strive between you and the person you are assigning. So, do not force people to do what they do not want to do most especially when there is no law guarding against reluctance. This, too, may be exempted from an actual accident scene. Some people may be scared, irritated by the graphic scene. They may need a little push. Hence, the universal law of survival which is against reluctance states that, “Do whatever needs to be done to ensure that the casualty survives.” Even if it requires shouting at them—anything. But “anything” must not involve hurting them physically. Well, I made that law up. I could be Isaac Newton on my blog.

4. REASSIGN THE TASK TO ANOTHER PERSON

Just because someone fails to do it, never leave the task undone or open to everyone. No. Instead, restate the importance of that task to the members, let them know how sacrosanct it is to the goal that brought all of you together. After which, you may either ask for volunteers or pick another person you know is capable of doing it. But I advice that you, firstly, go for the former—ask who is willing to pick up the responsibility. This, most of the times, is very effective. It has worked for me couple of times. Note that, in the case of asking a friend for help, restate to him/her how important the task is to you or both of you.

5. DO IT YOURSELF (DIY)

This is the last resort. When no one is ready to do it; if possible, that is, if your hands are not occupied at the moment and you can still add more work to yours and will not tell on you and your performance in your other duty, then, do it yourself. Otherwise, the group fails. Well, you tried your best. More often than not, weak team members, even with a strong leader, is likely to fail. And that is not all on you. But a little, maybe. Let the little slide and move on. Next time, pick a better team/friend, be more subtle this time.

In conclusion, assigning task(s) to specific people, in a friendly and respectful manner, whether or not you are a leader or a First Aider, usually saves the day in real scenarios other than on accident scenes, bringing your heart desires to reality, completely striped of any form of manipulative schemes, and preventing you from unnecessary stress and worrying. But throwing the responsibility to the open air, expecting a good Samaritan to pick it up for you—this, I call manipulation, not being direct—does just the opposite. It does not really save the day; it usually makes things worse. Therefore, be the wise First Aider in your own life, help yourself first, learn to assign tasks to specific people. Moreover, this does not only get things done on time, it also saves you the stress of doing it all by yourself, depending on where, when or how you are applying the technique.

Yours sincerely,

Hagios A. Akins

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