Thermostat

A while back, I heard New York Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, on the radio. In the interview, he was asked about leadership and how he helped lead his team both on the field and off the field.

His answer was this: "Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Set the temperature, rather than react to it."

That statement really struck me. How often have I simply reacted to what is going on around me instead of being the one impacting others? A thermostat helps maintain the temperature of the room; a thermometer just tells you what the temperature is. Are you "setting the temperature" with the people around you, or are just reacting to what everyone else is doing? Are you influencing others, or are you being influenced?

Each has its own positives and negatives. If you are influencing people, is it for good or bad? That's a big responsibility! If you are being influenced, who are you allowing to influence you? Do you have good influences or not-so-good influences? As guys, we are called to be leaders. So, be a leader! Set the temperature rather than react to it! Don't just get caught up doing what everyone else is doing. Be the one to stand up for what is right!

James