Thermometer or Thermostat?

So what’s the connection between the recent ongoing arctic weather conditions we have been experiencing and leadership?

Whilst fighting off the effects of the seasonal flu virus by keeping snug and warm inside a centrally heated home and gazing at the view of the incredibly scenic snowy Pennine landscape from my front window, I started to think about a very simple test and analogy of what determines a leader.

• A thermometer tells us the temperature. It might be very accurate, highly sophisticated, expensive and unique but all it does is record what is, or has, happened. How many managers do you know are maybe like this? They just report and account for what happened or maybe just make it happen to very strict rules and procedures.

• A thermostat, however, monitors the temperature and then acts accordingly. It actions appropriate interventions and makes a difference. Is this what leadership is, monitoring, evaluating, acting accordingly and then making a positive difference? Add anticipation to the mix and I think we have the perfect analogy! For me it embraces and demonstrates too how we might simply test for aspiration and attitude in our potential leaders.

It might be freezing outside both physically and economically and being a thermometer will perfectly confirm this, but what we must be are thermostats and in doing so take responsibility and act accordingly! How prepared are you to do this, learn more about yourself, gain additional qualifications, develop new essential skills and take on new projects? In a competitive job market, what makes you distinctive, outstanding, experienced and suitably qualified? If not, are you prepared to do something about it?

We know it’s difficult out there with the short-term outlook not heartening and I suspect I am not alone in suggesting that 2011 might be one of the most managerially challenging and difficult years ever faced by many managers. The strategic textbook term ‘retrenchment’ will have real and painful consequences for many, both personally and in their organisations.

My point therefore is important. We don’t have to be, or see ourselves and our organisations as victims. Adverse times offer a real test of character, ingenuity and innovation. Now is the time when we will see new leaders, products, services and organisations emerge and prosper. This doesn’t happen by accident though; we can and must take charge and collectively make positive things happen. In other words, we need personal leadership and organisational leaders like never before.

My associates and I are introducing new courses, finding new markets, helping more people and developing new skills than ever we have before. If we can be thermostats, so can you.

Our economy needs us!

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