What a privilege it is to be a Fire Starter—to help others keep their own flame of life burning brightly. This thought came to mind when I received an email from Rani Brahmbhatt, a student at George Washington University, after a talk I had given. She shared her takeaways and closed the message with, “I hope to become a Fire Starter and build a successful career helping others as well!”
I first heard the term “Fire Starter” over two decades ago when I was introduced to speak at my first keynote presentation. I was nervous as I waited off stage. The person introducing me gave a few statements about where I worked and shared some statistics. He then said, “Quint is a Fire Starter.” He went on to share that in the earliest of times, there were people responsible for keeping the fire burning in their village. If the fire went out, people would perish. When the village moved locations, the Fire Starters would carry the embers to make sure the fire was maintained. The person said, “Healthcare needs a Fire Starter, someone who can keep the flame of passion burning. Let us welcome a Fire Starter, Quint Studer.”
I remember being taken aback. Was this a reach? It seemed like a lot of responsibility. While I don’t remember all the details, I do remember saying, “I want to be a Fire Starter.” The term caught on. At one of my talks, a person showed me a pin they had made in the shape of a flame. We ordered them and gave them out. I was speaking at UPMC, a global healthcare provider and insurer, a few years back. Leslie Davis, the president and CEO of this large organization, put on the Fire Starter pin she had received years ago. I still get chills thinking about it.
What does it take to be a Fire Starter? A few tips:
- Keep your own inner flame burning. Yes, there are times in life when our inner passion burns lower. The key is to not let it burn out. This is why self-care is so important in being a Fire Starter. It is hard to give away something you do not have.
- Focus on the needs of those around you. Dr. David Hess shared with a group I was with that when he is with someone, he uses the three Hs. Does the person desire to be heard, helped, or hugged?
- Identify what may be dampening their flame. What is the person’s biggest worry or fear right now? What can you do to make a difference?
- Help others see the great value and difference they are making and will continue to make.
For years, I closed many of my talks with the Fire Starter topic. My final message to the audience was, “Do not underestimate the difference you make.”
I am grateful to Rani, the student who sent me the email. She is a Fire Starter in my life.
