Are you a thermostat… or a thermometer?

It’s a question I didn’t expect to be asking myself about leadership—but here we are.

In the utility industry, we ask a version of this all the time:
“What’s the thermostat set on?”

Because we know something important—systems respond to settings.

If the thermostat is set low, the system adjusts.
If it’s set high, the system responds accordingly.

That one setting determines everything that follows.

And recently, it hit me…

Leadership works the exact same way.

The Thermometer Leader

A thermometer reflects the environment around it.

It doesn’t change anything.
It simply reacts.

And if we’re honest, we’ve all had moments like this in leadership.

You walk into a meeting where tension is already high—and suddenly you feel it too.
Someone brings frustration, and you match their energy.
The day gets busy, and your communication gets shorter, sharper, more reactive.

Before you know it, you’re not leading the environment…
you’re reflecting it.

That’s thermometer leadership.

It’s not intentional.
It’s not strategic.
And over time, it creates inconsistency your team can feel—even if they can’t always name it.

The Thermostat Leader

A thermostat does something very different.

It sets the conditions.

It decides ahead of time:
This is the temperature we’re going to operate in.

Thermostat leaders don’t wait to see what kind of day it’s going to be.
They determine it.

They walk into a stressful situation and bring calm.
They face challenges and respond with clarity instead of chaos.
They reinforce expectations when it would be easier to let things slide.

They understand something powerful:
Culture isn’t accidental—it’s set.

And whether you realize it or not…
you are always setting a temperature.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

In utilities, we understand how systems work.

You don’t get the output you want by hoping things will adjust on their own.
You get it by setting the right conditions from the start.

The same is true for your team.

If your leadership “setting” is unclear, inconsistent, or reactive:

• Your team will feel it
• Your culture will reflect it
• Your results will mirror it

But when your leadership is intentional:

• Expectations become clear
• Communication becomes stronger
• Trust becomes more consistent

Because people don’t just listen to what you say—
they respond to what you consistently set.

So… What’s Your Thermostat Set On?

That’s the real question.

Right now, today—what are you creating in your environment?

🔥 Excellence?
⚡ Accountability?
🌱 Growth?
😬 Stress and urgency?
😐 Just getting through the day?

There’s no neutral setting.

Even when you think you’re “just reacting,” you’re still setting the tone.

Your team is watching.
They’re adjusting.
They’re taking cues from you—whether you mean for them to or not.

A Simple Leadership Reset

If this hits a little close to home, here’s the good news:

You don’t need a complete overhaul.
You just need a reset.

Before your next meeting…
Before your next conversation…
Before your next decision…

Ask yourself:
What temperature do I want to set?

Then lead from that place—intentionally.

Because the best leaders don’t just show up.

They set the conditions for everyone else to succeed.

Final Thought

In our industry, we trust the system to respond to the thermostat.

In leadership, your team does the same thing.

So the next time you walk into a room, remember:

You’re not just part of the environment.
You’re setting it.

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