Be a thermostat

You can be a thermometer, or you can be a thermostat.

Thermometers are reactive. If a team becomes angry or frustrated, thermometers reflect that.

Thermostats help set the temperature regardless of how everyone else in the room is feeling. In tough circumstances, thermostats can adjust the narrative and redirect focus toward a shared goal.

But setting the temperature is hard. And unnatural. It requires a willingness to lead by example and have uncomfortable conversations. And you can’t be a thermostat if you don’t have the confidence of others built upon a consistent record of performance and honesty.

Nobody can be a thermostat all the time.

But it sure is nice having them around when they’re on.