Fueling the Fire: Leadership Sparks for a Bright New Year

As the new year approaches, many of us ask: How much effort, hype, and energy will it take to launch our ideas or lead our teams to success?

But perhaps a more thoughtful question is this: Do we have enough kindling to make it all catch fire?

Simon Sinek reminds us, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” Leadership, much like a spark, becomes transformational only when the foundation has been carefully built—when trust is earned, when meaningful work is done, and when genuine empathy is shown to those we serve.

Kindling doesn’t appear overnight. It’s built over time through consistent effort, small wins, and meaningful investments in people and ideas. As we prepare to step into a new year, this is the work that sets leaders apart. If the wood is damp, no amount of sparks will ignite it. But when we’ve done the groundwork—nurtured relationships, developed our vision, and created the conditions for success—just one spark can light a fire that spreads far and wide.

The start of a new year is an invitation for leaders to lay down kindling with intention. It’s a chance to reflect on what we’re building and how we’re leading. Because when the moment comes—and it will—a single spark might just be enough to ignite something extraordinary.