Firesoul Leadership
An Entrepreneur's Blueprint for Fueling Growth, Igniting Creativity, and Crafting a Culture of Compassion
Profits should not be put before people, contends the leadership guide Firesoul Leadership, which argues that employees do their best work when they feel fulfilled and inspired.
Ulla Sommerfelt’s thoughtful business book Firesoul Leadership is about creating a compassionate and understanding workplace culture in order to unleash employee creativity.
Guiding entrepreneurs to grow their startups in innovative and giving ways, this book argues that a workplace’s culture is vital to its success. In conceptualizing leaders who are able to cultivate nurturing cultures, it expatiates upon the Scandinavian concept of ildsjel or “firesoul,” having a passion for serving others. And it contends throughout that profits should not be put before people: Employees do their best work, it says, when they feel fulfilled and inspired and when they work in conditions that prioritize their psychological security.
Transparency in the workplace is treated as essential, and there’s step-by-step guidance for onboarding employees and for making them feel appreciated with birthday celebrations and shared meals. Further, the book emphasizes leaders’ self-care:
If you fall apart, everyone will be impacted by it, so it’s crucial that you take steps to mitigate that possibility. Self-care is a requirement, not an option.
As an example of its ideals, the book outlines the process of growing the Norwegian design company EGGS to a staff of more than 130 people representing 27 nationalities. It asserts that the company got the most out of its employees by creating a net-positive culture in which they could thrive, using tools including rituals, behaviors, and experiences that represented the company’s values and purpose. Companies including Amazon, Airbnb, Google, and Uber are also mined for examples.
The prose is direct and conversational, though it does include some cliches and clunky neologisms. Still, its tone is lively and convincing when it comes to encouraging leaders to avoid common mistakes like “death by a thousand meetings.” Its broad conceptual sections progress from foundational information to advice for inspiring employees—all part and parcel of evolving from a founder into a leader. And instances of humor enliven the work further, as where founding a company is likened to childbirth. Takeaways conclude the chapters, providing helpful reminders to avoid common pitfalls. At times, the book overstates its case; still, its coaching stands to be fruitful, and there is plenty of guidance on applying its lessons in the real world.
An insightful leadership guide, Firesoul Leadership is about crafting a workplace culture that uplifts and inspires employees to do their best work.
Reviewed by
Joseph S. Pete
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
