Surviving the Fire – Why Your Hardest Trials Will be Your Best Leadership Lessons
The Sequoia tree is the largest tree grown in the world. The Redwoods may be taller, but in over-all size, the Sequoia is king. I am anticipating the day I see these magnificent wonders in California. Recently I was reading about the unusual black burn marks on the base of each tree. Fire helps the tree grow. With a 21” thick bark, the tree can withstand extremely hot temperatures, and it not only survives, but it will also thrive. The only time a Sequoia is in danger from fire is if the fire reaches the top of the tree where the bark cannot protect it.
A fire releases new seeds from the Sequoia’s cones. Extreme heat is the ONLY way they can be released. The tree depends on fire to prepare the forest floor by creating bare soil. The new seeds need this burnt forest floor to germinate.
Like the Sequoia tree, an engaged growing leader will experience the fire. No one likes the furnace that leadership brings, the hard decisions, the frequent changing of direction, consistently providing accountability, or delivering bad news. In many good ways it strengthens a leader, it matures them and increases their understanding. The leadership fire brings new growth. It cleanses away the distraction and focuses the attention on what matters. It can be painful and rewarding all at the same time. It’s during those challenging experiences that good leaders get better and can experience real growth.
“Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better. Don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don’t wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom.”
~Jim Rohn
During my early days leading a team, I went through an intense fire of having to let go of almost half of my staff during a tough layoff. It was painful, it left marks on me, and I am sure on those involved. I did not want to go through those hard times. I just wanted it to be over. I will never forget those long days and sleepless nights leading up to the layoff. It changed my leadership style forever. It made me realize that making tough decisions daily kept me from having to make even bigger, more difficult and agonizing decisions later.
Surviving the fire means you’re growing to the next level, far beyond what you could have done before. Honor the burn marks by remaining in the game. Stay on the journey and allow the bare areas from the fire to cultivate your leaders, plant new seeds of growth and move forward.
“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”
~ Vince Lombardi
