Many Seattle firefighters joined together to multiply their individual efforts toward a common goal. Together they were much more effective than would have been possible if each had moved separately. It seems simple to ask participants in an event to each raise a portion of the funds for a good cause... especially for firefighters. However, these men and women needed a whole host of soft skills to actually be effective. The most significant skills were:

· Commitment
· Organization: Both Personal and for the Team
· Support and Service to Others

Commitment: The firefighters made and kept their commitment to the kids' health. They trained for one grueling year to climb the flights of stairs. They thought through the various barriers to their success, including their personal physical limits, together solved problems and strengthened their skills. Their commitment kept their focus on the kids and not the daily workouts.

Organization: (Both Personal and Team) A single pencil can easily be broken while a handful is much harder to snap. When an organized team with a purpose commits itself to a cause greater than any one person their collective will is not easily broken, like the sticks in a tight bundle that are all headed in one direction. They used the following organizational skills to pull this event together:

1. Shared Vision
2. Clear Priorities
3. Tasks Divided
4. Time Line
5. Goals Set

Support of and Service to Others: The 1,500 Firefighters, together with their networks of supporters, knew that joy and happiness in life are not found in "I and Me" but in caring for, supporting, and being of service to others. Learning how to reach out or reach down to link hands and help one another is a gift that keeps on giving. To do this required them to:

1. Think of others' needs - big picture focus
2. Believe in the value of their efforts - that each mattered
3. Reinforce one another when they flagged