About the Book
2025 Global Book Awards Silver Medalist in Business Life
"This is the book I wish I had earlier in my corporate career. Based on Lisa Wolfe’s extensive experience and sage insights, Inner Fire provides practical guidance for professionals seeking to avoid burnout and thrive in the corporate world."
— Kathryn W. Guarini, PhD, Former Chief Information Officer at IBM, Director at Regeneron, and Visiting Lecturer at Cornell Tech
Reignite Your Career Passion
In Inner Fire, Lisa Wolfe, a trailblazer with four decades of leadership experience in the tech industry, shares her hard-won wisdom on how to become a Spirit-Keeper—someone who has learned to nourish and protect her inner vitality and humanity in the face of workplace challenges. Through a combination of lived experience in the corporate world, personal anecdotes, and insights from other professionals who have maintained their spirits, Wolfe offers a practical guide for anyone at any stage of their career seeking to reignite their passion for work and maintain their vitality in the face of corporate burnout.
Each chapter delves into a unique lesson, combining personal stories, insights from other Spirit-Keepers, and practical advice for putting the lesson into practice. Wolfe covers topics such as
- Clarifying your personal vision and values
- Developing self-confidence and self-reliance
- Building exceptional relationships and networks
- Speaking up against injustice
- Prioritizing boundaries and work-life integration
- Recognizing your own and others' achievements
- Leveraging flexibility and interdependence
- Staying agile and resilient in the face of constant change
Inner Fire is a respite and a resource for busy corporate professionals, offering them accessible wisdom and tools to preserve meaning and vitality within their everyday workplace world.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter One: Spirits Die without Warning
Chapter Two: It’s an Inside Job
Chapter Three: Relationships That Nurture Spirit
Chapter Four: Keep Your (Metaphorical) Bags Packed
Chapter Five: Don’t Be Numb to Being Human
Chapter Six: Listen to Your Body
Chapter Seven: Recognizing and Appreciating Achievements
Chapter Eight: Integrate Your Life and Work
Chapter Nine: Be Water
Conclusion
Who Am I?
About the Author :
LISA WOLFE is a trailblazer in the tech industry, with over forty years of experience spanning roles in software engineering, product management, and leadership at some of the world's leading corporations, including Hewlett-Packard and ServiceNow. A pioneer in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, Lisa has navigated the complex dynamics of the corporate world while maintaining her inner vitality and spirit. She has dedicated her career to helping others do the same. Residing in California with her family, Lisa continues to inspire professionals to find balance, purpose, and fulfillment in their work.
Review :
“Lisa Wolfe guides you to develop resilience in corporate chaos. She leads you through changes in mindset that will help you get your spirit back by setting healthy and appropriate boundaries, managing stress, advocating for yourself and others, and establishing a work-home balance.”
— Readers' Favorite
"This is the book I wish I had earlier in my corporate career. Based on Lisa Wolfe’s extensive experience and sage insights, Inner Fire provides practical guidance for professionals seeking to avoid burnout and thrive in the corporate world."
— Kathryn W. Guarini, PhD
Senior Fellow, Yale University; Director, Regeneron; Former Chief Information Officer, IBM
"Inner Fire masterfully blends authenticity with practical wisdom, offering readers a roadmap to navigate the corporate landscape without losing sight of their inner essence. This compelling read provides valuable insights and tools for achieving harmony between personal fulfillment and professional success, making it essential for those striving to thrive in both realms. A must-read for anyone navigating corporate life who is interested in aligning their inner essence with external success."
— Katherine Aitken
CXO Initiatives, Content Experience
"Good corporate warriors don't let their spirits be the collateral damage. As a former colleague, who witnessed first hand how Lisa managed to do that in corporate combat, I urge you not to miss out on this special book where she divulges what it takes to not just be a better worker, but a better partner, a better parent, and a better human."
— Joe Leung
Product Marketing Director, OpenText Cybersecurity
"In her book Inner Fire, Lisa Wolfe, a trailblazer and pioneer woman business leader with 40 years experience in the technology field, shares insightful wisdom and practical guidance gleaned from her corporate journey. Through her Spirit-Keeper method, she extends an invitation for readers to join the Spirit-Keeper Tribe. Offering practical strategies and inspiring narratives, this book serves as a roadmap to infuse purpose and passion into both professional and personal lives. It's not merely a book; it's a lifeline for those navigating the corporate world, ensuring they not only avoid burnout but also thrive as integral members of the Spirit-Keeper Tribe. This is essential reading for anyone seeking fulfillment and direction in their career and life."
— Lisa Rawls
Advisory Partner, KPMG LLP
"I’ve worked in a large government laboratory, large computer company, small technology innovation companies, and now have been teaching at a University for over 30 years (and have maintained active consulting). Some things that I deal with everyday are: How do I keep myself from “retiring in-place? How can I mentor leaders through example? How can I support my colleagues to “next-level” achievements?
The key is Inner Fire.
Lisa has clearly articulated the process and mentality to prevent burn-out, and to maintain vitality in the workplace. Her “lessons learned” clearly shows a path to stay focused and engaged, even with what we might consider mundane and routine tasks that we all encounter in our work lives.
Geez, I’ll re-read Inner Fire to fire me up, because sometimes we all could use some re-ignition."
— Ernie Kim, PhD, PE
Professor of Electrical Engineering, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, University of San Diego
"In this insightful and compelling book, the author beautifully bridges the gap between the resilience of the human spirit and the intense demands of the corporate world. Drawing on firsthand experiences, this book offers a powerful exploration of how to maintain one’s spirit amidst life's challenges. It provides practical wisdom and moving stories, making it an essential guide for anyone looking to thrive professionally without sacrificing their inner essence. Truly a beacon of hope and strength for those seeking to find or retain their inner spirit and live a purpose-driven life."
— Patricia Grant
CIO, Tenable
"Having worked in the corporate trenches with Lisa for over two years, I know her to be a true Spirit-Keeper and I couldn’t be happier that she has written this book! From both an analytical and a soulful approach, she helps us understand a workplace epidemic we all know exists, but few have been able to describe in such a meaningful but realistic way. Start reading this on your next business trip or one night after a long weekday and I bet you will feel differently about work as a result."
— Evans Nicholson
Senior Technical Product and Solutions Marketing Manager, IT Operations; Management/CMDB/Telecommunications/Cloud Solutions, ServiceNow
"Reading this book made me feel seen, empowered, and hopeful that I can take the actions necessary to be my own Spirit-Keeper! In a society where productivity is treated as the most important KPI, this book makes me wonder what incredible things we could be doing if sense of spirit was also just as valued. How much more engaged and purpose-driven would we be? Thank you for sharing the unseen but everyday stories that many of us corporate warriors experience. Most of all, reminding us we can flourish even more by embracing our humanity."
— Estella Gong
Sr. Solution Consultant, ServiceNow
"A dream job has the potential to be your life-source, nurturing your intellectual curiosity and drive. It provides rewarding experiences that offer a sense of purpose and an escape, helping you to overcome the harsh realities and adversity found in everyday life.
I have had the good fortune to work with Lisa, a fellow traveler in the fast-paced high-tech corporate world that is rapidly evolving through the advent of generative AI. In this highly complex and dynamic landscape, Lisa’s intellect and compassionate guidance ensures that humanity remains at the core of how we advance this incredible technology.
With Inner Fire, Lisa extracts wisdom and provides highly relatable insights through observation and sharing of lived experiences from other “Spirit-Keepers”—people who nourish and protect their inner vitality and humanity by being like water, advocating for adaptability and resilience, particularly in this time of accelerated change in all aspects of life. This book offers not just insights, but transformative pathways to rekindle and nurture your spirit, so you can be the best version of you."
— Sean Hughes
AI Ecosystem Director, ServiceNow
