This weeks #SundayThread “In moments of crisis look for the helpers”. This quote is one I learned from the wonderful @MisterRogersSay With all the horrible news around us, this quote taught me to look for the good that is out there. We just need to look for it sometimes 
Yesterday we learned of a horrible event in Sydney in which multiple people were killed or injured by a male attacker. It was horrific to see images of fellow human beings being threatened and injured. We were helpless in the face of this horrific event.
However as the story progressed it was clear that despite the danger, people acted preventing further loss of life. An Australian police officer has been hailed a hero. She confronted the attacker and shot him dead. This action alone brought the incident to an end.
The police are trained to run forward when others run away. The officer had the training, the motivation and the equipment to act. We saw the very best from our police yesterday. It’s also clear that others did their bit to…
We know from past events that when a situation is clear people act. This is despite the evidence that when in large groups humans often fail to intervene. As a witness yesterday you would know what was happening. This is partly why we saw people doing their bit.
A male was seen confronting the attacker with a piece of furniture. We saw others running towards the danger following the police officer. Evidence says that when one person acts others act also. For me the phrase “what you promote you permit” is relevant.
A sense of unity motivates people to come together. I think we saw that yesterday. I think we also saw a sense of responsibility from those who acted. For me this was both moral and professional. It saved lives
Acting together helps protect individuals. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation ask for help. Much research suggests that when you ask for help & give guidance you are giving responsibility to others. Psychologist Ervin Staub told me responsibility is a big motivator
Another source of responsibility is personal. It’s your moral
Compass that can drive you to do what’s right. Moral rebels exist in the world. Often driven by an inner sense of confidence they act when others don’t.
Compass that can drive you to do what’s right. Moral rebels exist in the world. Often driven by an inner sense of confidence they act when others don’t.
Many of us yesterday would have placed ourselves in the shoes of those who acted. What would we have done in a similar situation? This is actually healthy and helps prepare for an occasion when we may face any challenging situation.
@PhilZimbardo calls this the heroic imagination. The idea that we imagine what we would do. This is really helpful to deal with many issues including speaking to colleagues about something you have observed. Get ready for the event.
Being prepared is good and will also help you deal with an evolutionary response to stress. Fight or flight leads to many doing nothing or running forward without thinking. You are less smart when stressed. In such a state you could get hurt or get it wrong.
My advice is to be selfish before being selfless. When you do this, you can take deep breaths. Get your brain thinking again. When it’s stressed it’s being hijacked by cortisol and adrenaline. It’s emotional. We need to get it critical again. So breathe….
My friend @SandersonSpeaks taught me a check list which helps develop moral rebels. She discusses practice. She also includes having a belief that you can make a difference. Also having a set of useable tools to act helps. Remember intervention doesn’t have to always be direct.
Finally - find your friends and allies. Get help if needed and be clear when you call on others. We all have the power to make a difference. When one person steps outside the silent group we often see great things happen.
At Tower bridge a few years ago we saw action during a terror attack. On a crowded platform in Perth Australia we saw people coming together to push a train over to help a person who was trapped between the train and platform.
At a fairground in the US we saw a group steadying one of the attractions which was losing its stability. all of these events and others often start with the actions of one person.
As I said at the start “in moments of crisis look for the helpers”. These stories of helping give us hope that goodness exists in the world. These stories also demonstrate the power we all have to do wonderful things to help our fellow human beings.
As ever thanks for reading. I’m off to help my mum declutter her garden.
@__theskipper__ @Palestalemale1 @Drbrodiepaters1 @PositiveNewsUK @DC_Defective @SerpicoDet @andygeorgeni @ZaraQuigg @SangitaMyska @3rdCop @flaminhaystacks @HopeCollective2 @_WhatMakesAMan_ @laurarichards99 @MrGerryCampbell @Niven_Rennie @RajSKohliexcop
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