A code was called in the OR at my hospital. I went and saw there a 60 year old surgeon and a 50 year old anesthesiologist working on the patient. As a somewhat recent residency grad who people thought was a medical student on the first day of work due to my age, I asked meekly, "I'm Dr. Angry Birds, the ER doctor. Do you guys need my help?" I thought they would say no and I'd be on my merry way back to the ER. But, they looked up at me and say, "yes we could use you."
So, I stick around. I'm a bit sheepish though and don't take the lead initially. Within 10 minutes, I realize that they don't know what they are doing at all. The surgeon was calling for doses and meds that must have been used in the 1950's. So, I put my big boy pants on, and took over the code completely. The patient was successfully revived and survived...and the surgeon and anesthesiologist were profuse in their praise of my efforts.
Lesson of the story: never assume anyone else is the leader, despite age or experience. As the ER doctor, it should probably be you. I should've rephrased my initial question to, "I'm Dr. Angry Birds, the ER doctor. I usually run the codes, but I don't want to step on toes if you have it handled. Do you want me to take over as code leader or, if you don't need me, I can go back to my dungeon. Which do you prefer?"