We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diane Schroeder . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diane below.
Diane , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I spent over half my life in the 96% male-dominated fire service as a new hire; I was so worried about fitting in that I went along to get along. I wanted to be accepted and was willing to dim my light, keep my mouth shut, and not show up as my genuine self. When I started promoting into leadership roles, I realized how exhausting it was to be two different people. I finally started to show up as my authentic self. I realized that I wanted to add value instead of fitting in. I learned that what people thought of me was none of my business. I was often the only female in the room, and I used my perspective and curiosity to approach situations differently.
I became more confident when I started to show up as my authentic self consistently. I was then inspired to share my wisdom on a larger scale. Eventually, I left the fire service to start my own business and podcast, one of the pillars being authenticity.
The most impactful lesson I have learned about showing up as your authentic self is that it is contagious. You allow people to do the same, snowballing the organization’s culture. People show up as their authentic selves and feel a sense of belonging.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
After leaving a 24-year career in the fire service, I took a leap of faith to become a writer and entrepreneur. The heart of my business is guiding people when they feel stuck in the thick of life. I have spent the last few years speaking across the country on the importance of creating rituals and habits that create more capacity, time, and space for joy while living in your most authentic expression.
I believe everyone has a fire inside them that is their guiding light in the world, and I love helping people learn how to let their fire shine bright.
The “thick” or the middle of life can provide beautiful opportunities for growth, change, and new beginnings. Some people are transitioning to empty nesters as they launch their children or are no longer worried about climbing the career ladder and want to focus on themselves and taking chances they didn’t feel they could in the past. In a post-covid world, there is no longer a work-life balance but a work-life integration.
These transitions require intention and purpose, so I created the Balanced Life on Purpose Method. During the 12-week course, I work one-on-one with inspired people who feel they are on a tightrope, crossing the space from where they no longer want to be to where they want to live and thrive. The challenge is they aren’t sure how to get across the tightrope, and I help create a plan and safety net to make the transition less intimidating. Together, we create a plan and focus on 2 to 3 areas to make forward progress and build systems to make life more efficient, joyful, and, most importantly, have more time.
I also have my weekly podcast, The Fire Inside Her with Diane Schroeder, where each week, I interview amazing humans who are navigating the transitions in life with authenticity, grace, and leadership.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most impactful qualities, skills, or areas that were the most impactful in my journey are authenticity, developing a growth mindset, and loving the people I lead.
Being someone you are not truly aligned with internally takes a lot of time and energy. Doing the inner work to develop self-awareness and heal past traumas is a game changer. Showing up as your authentic self can be messy but worth the work. A growth mindset leads to discovering things about yourself and your ability to overcome challenges that you might not have imagined previously.
I became a better leader when I decided to love the people I led. I don’t always agree with or even like them, but I love them and want to give them the best opportunity to succeed.
I would advise folks early in their journey to provide themselves with grace, look at failures as lessons and opportunities to grow, surround themselves with people who support them, and learn to set boundaries that allow for time to prioritize self-care and development.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
A particular challenge I am currently facing is growing my brand and community. I have done incredible things, commanded historic fire events, and even shook hands with a President. Learning to be an entrepreneur has challenged me in ways I didn’t think possible. I am grateful to have the support of my tribe and the core belief that I know I am on the path I should be on at this phase in my life.
I believe the lessons I continue to learn will help me as a coach, podcast host, and leader. I am learning that by leaning into my challenges with a growth mindset, courage, vulnerability, curiosity, and authenticity, the path will continue to appear one step at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: thefireinsideher.com
- Instagram: @therealfireinher , @balanceonpurpose
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dianceschroeder5
