[Firefighters] understand that while the innovation might help the company overall, they fear that they might lose the success and respect they have built up by becoming good at solving problems in their current manner. Their identity is so closely associated with their work. If there is no need to go the extra mile anymore, they ask themselves how they can prove their value.
“Firefighters prevent innovation”, Nick Skillicorn
There is some truth to this. But it is also not doing justice to some of the best firefighters.
Because there are firefighters out there who not only put out fires but tirelessly work on helping ensure the prevention of new fires or old ones flaming up again.
They should be considered crown jewels of their organizations and treated as such. Absolutely priceless superstars that any organization should be lucky to have.