Fire fire everywhere and not a thing aflame

Fire in the belly

Fire on all cylinders

Charged with inner fire

There is no shortage of idioms and expressions using the word fire. Hardly surprising as the discovery of fire marked a turning point in the evolution of our civilisation. Finding fire meant that man could keep himself warm and venture into previously unfriendly environments, making geographic expansion even more probable. More important though, was the ability to cook food, translating directly into more calories consumed per meal and fueling the expansion of our brains. It can be inferred therefore, that flames played a key role in the development of our most important ability- the power of higher thought. As man's cognitive capabilities soared, so did his use of fire. From baking bricks and working metal to generating steam for locomotives and harnessing the power of the atom- without a scintilla of doubt, our civilisation is one forged in fire. 

The historic narrative gives vein to the apt symbolism of fire as a motive force leading on to greatness. Fire in pop culture represents creativity, passion, burning desire, hunger for success and with a negative slant- rage, danger and destructiion.

That inner spark, the unbridled passion and ravenous hunger for success is undoubtedly neccessary for sustained success. I write sustained because the laws of probability dictate that there will be occasional flukes- lottery wins, if I may. But to consistently produce superior results, one must stay fired up and focused on the work at hand. The opposite is to literally have cold coals for breakfast, everyday. Staying charged is no mean feat as many would know from battling the doldrums of demotivation or the vengeful ravages of being burnt out. The often touted questions with regards to the inner fire are 'what' 'how' 'when' with fewer articulations of the 'why'. The 'why' is central to any individual's actions and motivations. Your 'why' is your purpose, your reason for being and doing. It is simultaneously your inner combustion engine and the fuel for your sparks. The more likely an individual's 'why' resonates with their organisation's vision and ethos, the more passionate and engaged they will be. Interview questions like where people see themselves in a couple of years are meant to give hints of the motivations and visions of prospective staff and to highlight areas of confluence or dissonance with the organisation's direction. The challenge with these questions is that the better prepared candidate often says what needs to be heard to get the job- the rest, as they say, is history. 

Material motivators only last as long as the novelty of receiving them, if not shorter. Therefore, while bonuses and perks are always welcomed by staff, benefits like autonomy, inspiration, genuine opportunities to air their opinions are invaluable in helping to find, spark and fan the flames of their personal 'why' and with this, usher your team to a new level of achievement.