Fire & I
From the desk of Stephanie Scheller
My younger brother was…wild! One of his greatest feats in high school was the ability to breathe fire…in fact, his profile picture for years on social media was one with his hand on fire next to his face. He put it out immediately afterwards, but it still gave my dad conniption fits. He was overt with his obsession with fire. I was a little more subtle.
I remember sneaking under the porch in Alaska with a stolen box of matches and roll paper "cigarettes." Loving to watch how the fire danced on the edge of the rolled paper (Yeah…that’s what I thought cigarettes were….I was 6!). This then progressed to me taking q-tips, dipping them in wax and creating torches in the dark bathroom as if I was cave exploring. I still enjoy sitting in front of a campfire and watching it burn when I go camping.
Exploration
I want to explore what knowledge we can obtain from fire in business. Not only that, but also how we can put this knowledge to use. Fire is an incredible force. It is what enabled us to reach the top of the food chain. It produces light and energy, in addition to providing protection and guiding us when we are stuck. Nevertheless, fire can be dangerous if not handled cautiously. A seemingly insignificant spark can cause a wildfire that is out of control and lead to the loss of lives and property. Oftentimes, I believe that the enthusiasm and zeal we have as entrepreneurs can have a similar effect.
Pros:
- It’s how we get our team fired up and excited…
- It’s often how we bring vendors & clients onboard
- It’s what gets us up in the morning!
Cons:
- It can burn our team out…
- It can burn us out…
How do we control it?
- We control the potential damage of passion the same way we would a fire…
It is essential to stay aware of the flame and recognize its potential and your own. You must acknowledge the influence you have on yourself and your team.
Don't be afraid to say "no" to your team or to yourself. Make sure your team is aware of your desired destination, and don't let them forget the ultimate vision. Don't forget it yourself either.
Getting Trained
We are amongst the best of the leaders out there, but it is of the utmost importance that we keep on developing our leadership skills. Similarly to firefighters who are obli