You, specifically

Experts say that in an emergency situation, when you need someone to call 9-1-1, there’s a better way than shouting, “Somebody call 9-1-1!” (Though this is instinctually the thing to say because it’s exactly what you need.)

Instead, the advice is to identify someone specifically, and to address them directly: “[You:] I need you to call 9-1-1.”

See the shift?

When we need “someone” to do something, no one takes ownership of the task. “‘Someone’ could be anyone, not necessarily me.” Said another way: on these occasions, don’t rely on people to self-select.

There are many non-emergency situations where we might borrow from this model.

Instead of, “We need a volunteer,” it’s, “Alex, are you able to help?”

Instead of, “Can someone email the customer?” it’s, “Morgan, can you please email the customer?”

Instead of, “I need help,” it’s “Can you please help me?”

There are times when giving others the opportunity to rise to the occasion on their own is generous.

It can also be useful to know we can bypass this dance with a more direct route when it’s appropriate.