Are You Addicted to the Adrenaline Rush of Firefighting?

If you're like many leaders I've worked with, you have a bigger vision—perhaps it's a new role, or a transformative project, or doing something entirely different.

You imagine about what things will be like when you finally have time to implement that strategic plan. But somehow, everything stays the same.

Daily Reps of Crisis Management

Day after day, you're constantly addressing the same crises. At this point, you’ve likely become a master at fighting fires that threaten your organization's progress.

But, too often, there isn’t enough time to thoroughly solve all problems. Many issues receive quick fixes—patches that temporarily mask symptoms without addressing the underlying root causes.

Minor issues escalate into urgent, massive problems, impacting customer satisfaction and business performance. This cycle of reactivity plummets performance, drives relentless stress, and leaves you with a nagging feeling of always being on the back foot.

But why does this happen?

The Allure of Being The Hero

To a degree, putting out fires is rewarding. Firefighters are heroes. They're the ones who rush into danger, save lives, and get celebrated at the end of the movie.

And who doesn't want to be seen as a hero?

While its nice enjoying the accolades and perks, it's a very stressful life, constantly on edge, waiting for the next emergency.

While this is a valuable skill, living in that mode, always on alert for the next crisis can be draining.

There is a different way to be hero, adopting the mindset of a fire marshal.

Fire Fighter vs. Fire Marshal

In contrast, Fire marshals typically lead a less stressful life, with the ability to focus on other things because they're not constantly putting out fires.

Their work involves establishing processes and systems, and ensuring that potential hazards are mitigated before they become actual problems.

Fire marshals are far less glamorous, largely operating behind the scenes. But in the long run, can have just as much, if not more impact.

Now, let's relate this to your organization. Are you the expert in your organization? Do your people ask you to make every decision? What would it feel like to let them take the reins?

Embracing the Fire Marshal Mindset

Transitioning from a firefighter to a fire marshal requires fundamentally changing your leadership and problem-solving approach.

Change is seldom easy; shifting the lenses through current roles and responsibilities can be challenging.

So, how do you begin to change? Here are a few considerations to guide you:

What is your reason for change?

• Identify the driving force behind your desire to change from firefighting to fire marshaling. This could be to reduce stress, improve efficiency, or enhance the quality of your work life.

What do you need to let go of?

• Recognize that the skills and strategies that have brought you success in the past might not be what will lead to future success. This might mean delegating more or stepping back from daily crises to focus on strategic planning.

What new habits you need to adopt?

• As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This involves thinking long-term and valuing planning and prevention over the adrenaline rush of crisis management.

How can you empower your teams?

• Empower your team with the skills to solve problems without escalating everything to you.

Should You Get Help?

While you can achieve everything on this list alone, oing so is like a goldfish trying to see the water it swims in. We all perceive reality through the filters of our thoughts, stories, habits.

With the right help, you can achieve in one year what might take five years on your own, if it happens at all. The inertia in our brain tends to resist change, even with the desire to.

Having someone experienced on this path can be invaluable, to help you recognize those obstacles on the path the change, and keep you from falling back to old patterns.

A Different Type of Hero

Transitioning from a Fire Fighter to a Fire Marshal in your organization doesn't happen overnight. However, the benefits of such a transformation—a better work environment, more satisfied team members, and a more successful business—are well worth the effort.

You may not have a fully formed vision of what you want yet, and that's okay. What's important is recognizing that you can start making changes.

And that is enough to begin.

Heroism is not just in putting out fires, but in preventing them altogether. And every day you don't have to run into that burning building..that's a win.