Adjust Your Lens

 In emergency services, clarity saves lives. But what happens when our own internal "lenses" blur our ability to truly see others — and ourselves — clearly? This powerful and interactive session explores how unconscious bias shows up in subtle and not-so-subtle ways across hiring, development, decision-making, and team dynamics. As the workforce shifts and becomes more diverse, today’s EMS leaders must learn to widen their perspective to better connect with — and lead — the next generation of responders.

We all lead through a lens shaped by our experiences, identities, and assumptions. Sometimes that lens distorts what — or who — we see. By learning to adjust it, we can lead with greater awareness, empathy, and intention and strengthen our emotional intelligence. You’ll walk away with tools to recognize and manage bias in real time, shift small but powerful micro-behaviors, and build a culture of inclusion where everyone has the chance to thrive.

When we adjust our lens, we sharpen our focus, lead more clearly, and serve more powerfully. Better vision leads to better outcomes. Let’s refocus.

Learning Objectives:

1) Define how unconscious bias is formed and recognize its real-time impact on leadership behaviors and decisions.

2) Evaluate your own leadership "lens" and assess how personal and professional experiences have shaped it.

3) Apply practical tools to interrupt bias-based micro-behaviors and shift toward more inclusive interactions.

4) Design leadership strategies that intentionally foster belonging, visibility, and trust — making your agency a place where the next generation of responders wants to stay and grow.