One of the subjects that comes up often in articles, blog posts, social media comments and in general ambulance related conversation is that of ego. Whilst we tend to use it as a negative reference, it’s important to remember that it does have some benefits.
Paramedics need to step up in unusual circumstances as a matter of course, so we absolutely must do whatever it takes to make ourselves feel brave at that moment. We need to convince ourselves that our voices have value, simply so that we can force ourselves to command enough bystander attention to ensure safety at a scene. We must step out of our comfort zones almost every day, and step into the unknown, so we need to boost our egos to be able to keep stepping out so that we can continue to step up.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines ego as a sense of self, when contrasted with another and likens it to self-esteem. Similarly, psychoanalytic theory of ego defines it as "The organised conscious mediator between the person and reality, especially by functioning both in the perception of and adaptation to reality." So we need it, we really need it, just to do our everyday jobs, for us to function at the high level expected by the communities we serve. If that ego aids in carrying out our duty, in a world where we have to function within our perception of circumstance as well as adapting to the reality of the situations we find ourselves in.
When does it become a problem though? Is it a problem when we’re at work and our ego prevents us from listening to suggestions of better, safer ways to do things? Will it put our reputations in harm’s way because colleagues eventually lose all respect for us, when our ego continually shuts them down and ridicules them? Does it create difficulties in being so quick to judge and criticise that we often incorrectly assume that a patient is wasting our time, or seeking drugs? Can it negatively affect relationships in real life, and online, when we jump in with opinions and thoughts simply because we’ve become so used to having to speak up quickly and clearly that we forget to think it through first? Could it prove difficult when our ego refuses to let us speak up and ask for help in times of deteriorating mental health?
Perhaps a simple lesson in humility can be learned from ants. I’ve been seeking out information on ants since I first listened to a podcast about their caregiver ants last year. Researchers have found that a nurse or paramedic equivalents carry out first aid and ongoing treatment for their injured comrades, but only after they’ve efficiently triaged. Maybe they turn up in an “ambulANTs?" (Sorry.) Any ant with five or more injured limbs is not rescued, simple as that, but for the others, they take them back to the colony and lick their wounds until they either recover or die.
With this newfound fascination, I discovered the most interesting news of all, that they have no ego, none at all.
That is where their lives may seem a little kinder, more simple and dare I say rewarding, than the “dog eat dog,” “eat our young”, “survival of the fittest” and “paragod” situations we’re creating for ourselves over time. So, how do researchers think they do it? Their overriding goal and collective desire is for their colony’s wellbeing, and without a collection of egos competing for the limelight, they take care of each other and get the work done.
- Ants live in colonies and, without fail, work together to create enormous, impressive and strong structures despite their tiny size
- They know what their roles are and they stick to them because they are made to feel valued, and empowered, within the clearly defined roles they inhabit.
- Their leaders know that they cannot survive without all of the ants in the colony performing well, whilst the ants know that they can’t survive without the direction of their leaders.
- Ant energy is unified and always focused in the same direction, so they just don’t have reasons to argue or create friction amongst their ranks, they’re too busy aiming for a shared goal.
- Communication is constant between every ant in the colony so that they maintain close rapport and build effective relationships.
- When they run into a problem that they can’t handle alone, ants immediately summon help so that the issue can be dealt with quickly and effectively.
- As a group, they look to see what needs to be done and just do it, even if it means laying down in a pothole for hours, to make a smoother road for other ants to travel across.
- Leader ants can focus on what needs to be achieved if the rest of the colony are performing as expected, so it’s worth their while empowering and valuing every member of the colony.
- If something happens to knock a colony of ants off course, and a few things go wrong, their lack of ego and unified approach lets them bypass obstacles without upset or delay.
- The more pressure ants find themselves under, their colonial lines become straighter, whilst their speed becomes more consistent, strengthening their approach to overcome the problem.
- And finally, because these little critters have no ego, they have no urge to overtake each other, no craving to prove any point and no desire to mock others.
(Have a quick three minute listen for yourself about why ants just seem to stay on course https://www.npr.org/2015/01/19/377743242/why-ants-handle-traffic-better-than-you-do.)
With this in mind, how do our egos look in comparison to our ant counterparts, and can we adopt a similar approach, so that we can soften ours ever so slightly? Perhaps we can build the value and importance of this into paramedic education. Teach new ways of keeping the ego in check, so that it serves us well when we need to maintain just the right amount of self-esteem to be able to stand up and makes ourselves heard. Demonstrate the benefit of an ant's attitude to the role, so that we’re working together for the wellbeing of our entire profession. Our patients. Our colleagues. Our predecessors. Our future paramedics. Ourselves. Our colony.
Thanks for reading.
Tammie
References
Cheng, P. L. K. (2011). Learning teamwork and other lessons from the ants. Business Journal for Entrepreneurs, 2011 (1). https://poseidon01.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=455104081101117078117091122088106023001073052003031050086125094005008115113124077109036030058033030004038075013110102101024101114008047023021089068018024096023097081035028092067123098005070114125064097125121116064120098066087095114083121073084099067&EXT=pdf
Frank, E. T., Wehrhahn, M. & Linsenmair, K. E. (2018). Wound treatment and selective help in a termite-hunting ant. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 285 (1872). https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2017.2457
John, A., Schadschneider, A., Chowdhury, D. & Nishinari, K. (2009). Trafficlike collective movement of ants on trails: absence of a jammed phase. Physical Review Letters, 102 (108001). https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.108001#authors
Merriam-Webster. (2020). Ego. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ego
Youngsteadt, E. (2007). Ant highway repair. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center. https://nescent.org/eog/eognews.php-id=45.html
Thanks for reading.
Tammie
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As a current, practising paramedic in Australia, Tammie Bullard is passionate about prehospital care. With a background in metropolitan and country ambulance, academic study, clinical training, precepting and lecturing, she aims to put it to good use. Through the shared experiences of countless students, colleagues and mentors, her first book is designed to encourage effortless and ongoing self-reflection in every paramedic that strives to excel in their rewarding choice of career. Find out more about the author and the book through any of the links included below.
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