Why leaders with half-empty glasses cannot put out fires

Why leaders with half-empty glasses cannot put out fires

Do you remember Heiko Mell? His career columns in the 1990s were legendary for me when, as a young engineer, I subscribed to VDI Nachrichten. As far as I know, he still writes for VDI today. I remember a column in which he wrote, in essence: “If you constantly shout ‘Fire!’, nobody will help when there is a real emergency.” Mell was known for his clear, practical advice. One of his most important principles was that personal responsibility and problem-solving skills are crucial for professional success.

When employees and leaders run to their boss with every problem, or simply pass on difficulties on the assumption that “reporting it absolves me”, they do more harm than good in the long run. People who repeatedly shout “Fire!” quickly lose credibility and create the impression that they cannot work independently. The result? In a real emergency, the boss doubts both the urgency and their ability to solve problems themselves. Leaders in particular risk losing their teams’ trust if they constantly raise the alarm without presenting solutions or taking a nuanced view of the situation.

Mell therefore advised in that column: go to your boss only when you really cannot move forward, or when the problem has strategic implications requiring consultation. Otherwise, be proactive, find solutions and present them! That strengthens your own profile and shows you can take responsibility.

To avoid any misunderstanding, this is not about sweeping problems under the carpet. It is about an attitude to work in which initiative and a focus on solutions come first. A “glass half full” attitude is crucial, rather than always seeing only the half that is empty. This attitude remains as relevant and valuable today as it was then. Leaders in particular should ask themselves how often they shout “Fire!” and what effect this has on their team. After all, half-empty glasses are not much use for putting out fires.

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