The Strength of the Crew
Strong relationships are a powerful contributing factor for resilience. They play a central role in maintaining mental health in high-adversity professions.
Support networks typically include: peers, leaders, family members and friends.
In helicopter rescue operations, the crew environment is particularly important. Trust allows people to communicate openly and support one another after difficult cases.
Humor also plays an important role. Many first responders rely on humor to process difficult situations and maintain connections within the team.
Resilience is rarely built in isolation. In fact, it has the opposite effect.
At times in my career, I focused so heavily on work that other relationships received less attention. Over time, I realized that meaningful work is important but failure at home overshadows any success at work.
By providing stability, strong relationships allow a person to sustain demanding work over decades.
When people talk about work-life balance, they often focus on leisure activities—enjoying themselves or being stress-free.
For me, the more important balance has been between work and relationships—what I sometimes think of as a work-love balance.
Actionable Items
- Invest intentionally in relationships with your crew and your family.
- Use humor and honest communication to strengthen team bonds.
- Recognize that strong relationships improve long-term performance.
- Protect time and energy for the people who matter most.
- Develop grit for others