Be a thermostat

In 1883, Albert Butz patented the first temperature regulator for ovens. He called it the damper flapper (above).

In 1906, a young engineer named Mark Honeywell purchased Butz’s patent and developed the first programmable thermostat.

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We can be thermometers, or we can be thermostats.

Thermometers are reactive. If our team or family 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 shares values. Maybe a shared goal.

But setting the temperature is hard and unnatural. It requires a willingness to lead by example, seek to understand, and sometimes have uncomfortable conversations.

And we can’t be thermostats if we 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.

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And to everyone, Merry Christmas!

- Ryan

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