Outstanding leadership isn’t about avoiding the flames; it’s about conquering them.

Being a leader is not about wanting the title or the paycheque. It’s about embracing every challenge you face and seeing it as a chance to grow and innovate. It’s easy to stand on the sidelines and point fingers at others, criticising their leadership. But unless you’re ready to step up, take control, and bear the responsibility, you can’t claim you’re a leader.

Leadership is an action, not a position.

I’ve learned that to lead others, first, you’ve got to understand yourself. You need to uncover what makes you tick, what drives you, and what makes you stronger. Once you know that, you can use that inner fire to push yourself forward, no matter what obstacles come your way.

When I reflect on my experience as a firefighter, the lessons are clear. Running towards the flames wasn’t about fearlessness. It was about understanding my purpose, leveraging my training, and trusting my instincts to make split-second decisions.

Think about your own challenges as fires to be conquered. Here’s what you can do:

• Identify your passions and strengths. What sets your soul on fire?
• Embrace challenges head-on. They’re opportunities in disguise.
• Take responsibility. Leaders aren’t born in comfort zones.

You don’t become an outstanding leader by staying safe. It’s through confronting your personal and professional fires, learning from them, and coming out stronger on the other side.

So, when the heat is on, remember to run towards the flames. That’s where greatness is forged.