Habitudes - Thermostat & Thermometer
The Fulling Management & Accounting team has started watching a new video series! Every week in our staff meetings, we watch a culture & leadership video to aid in our professional and personal development. The series we’re watching now is by Dr. Tim Elmore and is based on his book Habitudes - The Art of Self-Leadership. Follow along as we learn about self-leadership.
Thermostats and thermometers are fundamentally different. Thermostats set the temperature while thermometers only reflect what the temperature is. “Most people are like thermometers,” says Dr. Elmore, “They tend to reflect the culture around them.” However, leaders are like thermostats. They set the social climate and emotional temperature of a group. Leaders influence rather than get influenced by others. Elmore challenges us to move from being a thermometer to a thermostat.
Good leaders tend to initiate 2 actions:
Living by values. - These values are standards they set for themselves that are higher than others. This sets their moral compass.
Adding value. - Leaders find a way to serve people and solve problems. They need to be able to look up from their task list and see ways to help others.
“Influence isn’t usually an accident.,” says Elmore. It takes intentionality to influence others.
What are some examples of ways you can “change the temperature” of a group you are in?
As our team reflected on this question, we noted that we can influence others by giving compliments and encouragement, seeing something in a positive light, and giving grace to others. We talked about how our team is doing this and being quick to give each other a compliment or encouragement when needed. It’s so refreshing!