Do You Light Fires or Extinguish Flames

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

The philosopher Albert Schweitzer once said “ in everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fires goes out. It is then burst into flames by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful to those people who rekindle our inner spirit”. Nurse leaders have the capability to be fire starters and to rekindle the fire within where it has been extinguished but many don’t. Instead, what we often see are leaders who extinguish flames by trying to set fire under people instead of inside. So ask yourself which one you are by posing the following questions:

Fire Starter Behaviors

Do you show compassion when a staff member is having difficult challenges?
Do you look for the strengths of your staff members and not focus on weaknesses?
Do you individualize your leadership to meet the needs of your staff?
Do you show encouragement for innovation?
Do you give staff stretch assignments to help them grow?
Do you celebrate staff achievements?
Do you encourage a culture of learning?
Do you communicate and communicate and communicate?
Do you give hope during challenging times?
Do you listen with your eyes, your ears and your heart?
Do you show appreciation to others?
Do you look for opportunities to help others shine?
Do you give credit to others for their work?
Are you passionate and enthusiastic?

Fire Extinguisher Behaviors

Do you blame others for your leadership failures?
Are you threatened by high performing staff?
Do you focus on deficits instead of strengths?
Do you use words like “no”, “but”, “however” in conversations about new ideas?
Do you fail to listen to viewpoints that are different than your own?
Do you hesitate to acknowledge when you are wrong?
Are you pessimistic during times of instability?
Do you believe staff are lucky to have a job?
Do you feel staff should leave their personal problems at home?
Do you fail to give others second chances?
Do you withhold information that would be valuable to helping others?
Do you lack passion for your work?
Are you unapproachable?
Do fail to respond to messages?
Do you spend most of your day in your office?

Fire starter leaders love to coach, mentor and develop others. They look for the best in the individual and leave a very rich legacy when their work is done. By contrast, fire extinguishers cause stress, burnout and disengagement in staff who work with and for them. Which one would you rather work for?