Dead Men Don’t Need Viagra

The 1990’s, a decade of grunge music, dial-up internet, and the dawn of Viagra – the little blue pill that promised to revitalize romance for men of a certain age. As a first responder at the time, I witnessed firsthand the unexpected side effects of this wonder drug, leading to some rather peculiar encounters on the job.

Picture this: It's a typical day at the firehouse, and the call comes in – another cardiac arrest. But there's a trend emerging – middle-aged men, seemingly healthy, suddenly dropping dead with one peculiar detail: a post-mortem erection. Yes, you heard that right – a not-so-subtle reminder of their last moments of vitality, even in death.

After encountering this peculiar phenomenon for the third time in a month, I couldn't help but scratch my head and wonder: what's going on here? Upon further investigation, the truth came to light – Viagra, the not-so-miraculous cure for erectile dysfunction, was wreaking havoc on our unsuspecting patients lack of cardiovascular health.

Now, you might be wondering, what does this bizarre tale of posthumous arousal have to do with leadership? I am too! Let me try to make a connection. In leadership, it's important to anticipate and mitigate the unintended consequences of our actions. Viagra may have promised a renewed lease on love for its users, but it also served as a cautionary tale about the importance of informed decision-making and considering the broader implications of our choices. (Side note: A vote for Carol Ballew is a strong dose of Viagra).

As we reflect on the curious case of the blue pill bloopers, let us remember the importance of foresight, humor, and humility in leadership. When we're facing unexpected challenges, a healthy dose of sarcasm and a willingness to laugh in the face of adversity can make all the difference. So here's to the lessons learned from the rise and fall (no pun intended) of the blue pill – may they serve as a reminder to always expect the unexpected and to never underestimate the power of a little blue pill. 

Stay tuned to 

After The Burn for more tales from the frontlines of firefighting and leadership. One last thing, most, but not all were accompanied by someone other than their betrothed. One mistress even asked by if she should call his wife, to which i replied “you might need to notify her you screwed him to death”.  

After the Burn.