Are You a Thermostat or a Thermometer?

Most who have worked with me know that I like to use stories, metaphors, and pictures to share leadership concepts. I recently heard a great metaphor to think about our attitudes, especially when change management is involved. The question is quite simple: do you reflect the qualities of a thermometer or thermostat?

A thermometer simply reacts and displays the relative temperature round it, while a thermostat is what actually determines the temperature in a room.

Think about the key differences in a thermometer and a thermostat. A thermometer simply reacts and displays the relative temperature round it, while a thermostat is what actually determines the temperature in a room. If you take this great metaphor and relate it to your personal attitude during change, it can be quite powerful.

Those with thermometer attitudes and behaviors simply reflect the changes around them, changing only as those around them change.

Those with thermometer attitudes and behaviors simply reflect the changes around them, changing only as those around them change. Many times these individuals follow the flow, not challenging the status quo. Many of these types of individuals and leaders are not even-keeled and their attitude changes constantly depending on what has happened that day, or who is around them. They also don’t seem to have solid beliefs of their own, but seem to mindlessly take the popular viewpoint that is prevalent. When tempers are flaring and drama is high, thermometers are the ones right in the middle of it.

When tempers are flaring and team drama is stirring, thermostats are the ones working to diffuse and calm everyone down.

Thermostats on the other hand proactively change those around them. They are usually the leaders that identify things that have to be done and use their positive influence to impact their peers. These are the individuals that are swimming upstream with fresh new ideas.  These are leaders that are clear about what direction they are going and don’t change every time the wind blows a little differently. They are also the ones that purposely communicate and work with those around them to understand the ‘why’s’ around a change. When tempers are flaring and team drama is stirring, thermostats are the ones working to diffuse and calm everyone down.

Clearly a leader with a thermostat mentality is what we all need to strive to be more like. So next time you are going through a change, ask yourself: Are reflecting the traits of a thermostat, or are you simply a thermometer? Cheers.