SEEK, AND ADMIT, WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WRONG ABOUT

     As I travel through my life, cresting now 50 years of age,  and continue to expand my knowledge as a man, a student, and an instructor, I wish to be less concrete in my thinking. A common folly of most younger men, and one that some men never shake. Now those who know me, KNOW me, and are wholly aware that there are a few hills that I am still willing die on, but those hills are fewer and farther in between than a few years ago. I am off course flawed, but I try. 

    Every once in a while I'm fortunate enough to be amongst peers and professionals in our beloved community that I consider to be at such a high level that I call "a table." This is generally a group of people who are so incredible gifted in both knowledge, skills, and instructional methodology that I am humbled simply to sit and listen. Every once in a while, I like to get into some deeper discussions with my friends, and simply ask; "What, in the last 5 years or so, have you been wrong about, or had to make a significant positional shift on?" 

    I didn't really think that much about it, but as it turns out, this is somewhat of a difficult question for some people to answer. Or even comprehend. Sometimes it seems factors of emotional intelligence, "fan-boi-ism", or simply existing too long within one's self created echo chamber prevents some from the possible consideration of having been (God forbid) wrong about something. But the true greats, will indeed be able to, in relative quickness, share some example of positional shift in their recent background. If someone can't...........question everything. 

    This is me sharing an experience of feeling compelled to shift my position on a matter that some may recognize me to be a bit of a subject matter expert of sorts within. A couple of years ago I was seeing a trend in the trauma kit world. That was in the realm of TQ selection. In particular, people selecting the ETQ / EDC by Snakestaff for no other reason than it's form factor, not necessarily objective analysis or experience. I purchased many of both variants of the offerings by Snakestaff and tested them in earnest for many months. Bottom line, I absolutely hated these tourniquets. 

    I am blessed to have taught a few thousand people the vital skills of both professional and civilian context emergency skills throughout my career. Through My career I've striven to be as close to operationally "perfect" as possible, if there is such a thing. Often holding myself and others to a standard that perhaps was admittedly unattainable or unreasonable, even if justifiable as the "right" thing for the patient. The slightest imperfection, I would meet with the harshest criticism, often catastrophizing the potential outcome of the "mistake." I now know the true root of these tracks of thought, their origins, and work to be better than that moving forward. Consistent with these things, I demanded a tourniquet be PERFECT. 

    I had created a significant amount of content on the CAT and SOFTT, and TQs in general. Then produced an adequate amount of content shitting on the above mentioned new to market TQs. That resulted in myself and the actual inventor of the product having a not so productive public exchange on the matter. Time progressed and my position didn't shift on the product, but my thoughts on the PERSON weighed heavily. I found my thoughts and some discussions with my closest inner circle shifting to the topic of where I might find commonality. Finally I had to pull back and ask myself if I TRULY believed that this individual, who's product I'd so publicly shit on, who had obviously invested a significant amount of time, effort, and person financial capital, wasn't sincerely dedicated to saving lives. The only answer I could come up with was that for me to believe that, I would have to be an actual asshole. There is no way that myself and this individual would not share some commonality in vision or goal. Were my operational preferences the end all be all? Was it a viable product in future iterations? Could I potentially ever offer something that may make progress rather than tear down?

    Soon I would see an announcement of the ETQ Gen 2s, watch a couple of videos and realize that Snakestaff had done a complete retooling of both of their products. This was a signal to me. Seeing that THEY completely changed course with their product line making what looked to be improvements across the board, I felt obligated to reach out. I had "called his baby ugly" in open forum. There was no way I wasn't going to attempt to give credit for progress, AND conduct new objective analysis for a totally different product. I had very publicly stated that I did not like a product, but would 100% applaud improvement where it was warranted. 

     Given our history, I knew Ben Griffith would know me, but wasn't quite sure how he might take me reaching out. I properly introduced myself, gave a little of my background and why I'm so spirited on the matter at hand, and expressed that I had noticed that clearly he and his team had made great strides to progress the design of the Snakestaff offerings. To my great relief, Ben responded in kind stating that he felt we shared much more on this topic than could potentially divide us. Moreover he sent me several samples and invited my input on the new designs, and invited my input on them. Designs I must say have made significant improvements in nearly every way. The ETQ Wide Gen 2 is now solidly in my top 3 of ALL TQs on the market today. (Don't get me started on people who won't go to the bathroom without verifying the CoTCCC recommendation status. Do your own homework!)

    This anecdote is not about tourniquets. It's about softening concrete thought, or perhaps recognizing you were wrong about something. Was I wrong about this particular something? Not exactly, BUT I recognized there was another person coming at the same topic in earnest, truly trying to do the right thing. I realized perhaps he, and I, and all of the people we both hope to reach could be better served by he and I getting beyond our background disagreements and moving towards something positive. Now we can move toward that potential. 

    Is there something or someone out there, in a similar situation that you have been thinking about? Don't be afraid of changing tack on a long established position. Especially if it's been a while. There is often interesting discovery looking into discomfort or disagreement. Being willing to have honest discussions may even open you up to new friendships and commonalities with those you previously disagreed. Ben Griffith and I now have an open and positive dialogue and share a mutual respect for one another. An amazing byproduct for both of us to continue to foster. 

    Know that if you've allowed your ability to change position or opinion to ossify, good people and amazing opportunities in this life could pass you by.