Be The Thermostat, Not the Thermometer

The moment leaders believe they know enough… They stop growing. The moment they stop growing… Their influence begins shrinking. Thermostat leaders stay curious because curiosity keeps leadership alive.

Leadership is never developed in isolation. The people you spend the most time with shape your thinking, your expectations, your habits, and ultimately your leadership. Thermostat leaders intentionally choose environments that challenge them to grow instead of environments that simply make them comfortable.

Every leader will experience disappointment. Criticism. Failure. Loss. Uncertainty. The question isn’t whether you’ll face painful seasons. The question is: Will your pain become your prison—or your professor? In this episode, Dr. Tron Young explores how thermostat leaders refuse to let adversity define them. Instead, they allow adversity to develop them.

Everyone wants great results. Everyone wants a healthy culture. Everyone wants strong relationships. Everyone wants high-performing teams. But wanting something and committing to it are two very different things. Thermostat leaders understand that cultures aren’t built by people who are interested. They’re built by people who stay committed long after the excitement fades.

One of the fastest ways to lose your confidence is to compare your journey to someone else’s highlight reel. Thermostat leaders don’t measure success by keeping up with someone else. They measure success by becoming more faithful to the assignment they’ve been given. Today’s episode is about breaking free from comparison and embracing your own leadership journey.

Leadership isn't just about what you know. It's about who you're becoming. Every book you read... Every mentor you seek... Every difficult conversation you embrace... Every conference you attend... Every moment of reflection... Is an investment—not just in your future, but in every person you'll one day lead. Today's episode explores why thermostat leaders never stop investing in themselves becaus...

Most people think success is a destination. A promotion. A degree. A title. An award. Thermostat leaders understand something different. Success isn't somewhere you arrive. It's someone you become. This episode explores why leadership isn't about reaching the top—it's about continually growing into the leader your people deserve.

Great leaders honor the past. They learn from it. But they refuse to live there. Whether last year was your greatest success or your greatest disappointment... Thermostat leaders understand that leadership is always forward-facing. Today's episode is about letting go of what was so you can fully embrace what could be.

Leadership is contagious. So is negativity. Every leader has moments when frustration, pressure, and disappointment threaten to take over. The question isn't whether difficult days will come. The question is: What kind of atmosphere will you create when they do? This episode explores why thermostat leaders understand that attitude isn't about pretending everything is perfect—it's about...

Leadership attracts opinions. The higher you go, the louder the room gets. And suddenly… everyone has advice. Even people who’ve never carried what you carry. In this episode of Thermostat Tuesday Talk, Dr. Tron Young delivers a leadership truth every leader eventually learns:Not every voice deserves influence. Because thermostat leaders don’t take direction from spectators. They set the climate—n...

Every leader eventually faces a moment when their passion, innovation, or vision makes someone else uncomfortable. The temptation is to shrink — to get quieter, to fit in. But thermostat leaders understand something different: you weren't called to blend into the room. You were called to change it. In this episode of Thermostat Tuesday, Dr. Tron Young challenges leaders to stop apologizing for...

Have you ever noticed that we often ask one question whenever leadership gets hard? "Should I keep going?" Today I want to replace that question with a better one. "Who am I becoming because I kept going?" Because thermostat leaders don't quit every time the pressure rises. They learn to lead through it.

We all remember a great leader. Not because they were perfect. But because they made us feel seen, valued, and capable of more than we thought possible. Who’s the best leader you’ve ever had, and what did they do that still impacts you today? Let’s celebrate the people who set the thermostat in our lives. 👇 #BeTheThermostat

Be the THERMOSTAT and not the thermometer! Listen to Jake Palmer, a passionate principal at Fisher Grade School committed to creating a nurturing environment through strong relationships with staff, students, and families. His energetic and enthusiastic approach inspires positive change that transforms student outcomes.

Be the THERMOSTAT, not the Thermometer! Being the Thermostat is not something that just happens, but it is what you do. Listen to Dr. Rachael Mahmood, 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year , use her voice and stories to help uplift and motivate us to #bethethermostat!

Be The Thermostat! Listen to Sean Buchanan, Superintendent or Geary Public Schools in Geary, Oklahoma, as he talks about increasing parental engagement to increase academic results. Connect with Sean at www.seanbuchanansolutions.com.

In this episode of "Letting Go of Unwanted Badges," we discuss the importance of letting go of unwanted badges, those labels and badges we wear that may weigh us down, and how to foster a culture of empowerment, authenticity, and growth for ourselves and our teams. We will always encourage you to be the thermostat and not the thermometer.

Be the Thermostat, not the Thermometer. Listen to Monet Webster emphasize the importance of building strong schools and stronger community with the diveristy, equity, and inclusion work she is doing. Monet understands what it means to #bethethermostat and shares her stories and experiences to uplift and motivate us to be the thermostat as well.

Be the Thermostat, not the Thermometer. Listen to my wife Keisha Young discuss what it means to be the thermostat as a family nurse practitioner and supporting someone who is a thermostat leader. She advises us to focus on self-care and being in the moment. My wife understands what it means to #bethethermostat and shares her stories and experiences to uplift and motivate us to be the thermostat as...

Be the Thermostat, not the Thermometer. Listen to Katie Kinder emphasize the importance of understanding post-pandemic teaching and supporting teachers. She advises us to focus on what we can control and embrace change in education. Katie understands what it means to #bethethermostat and shares her stories and experiences to uplift and motivate us to be the thermostat as well.

Be the Thermosotat, not the Thermometer. Thermostat leaders understand that you have to create an environment that students want to run to not just have to come to. Listen to Taylor Drennan share his experiences and stories to help uplift and motivate us to #bethethermostat!

Be the THERMOSTAT , not the Thermometer! Thermostat Leaders understand that when you get better everybody wins. Listen to Daniel Bauer share his experiences and stories to help uplift and motivate us to be Ruckus Makers and #bethethermostat .

Be the THERMOSTAT, not the Thermometer. Thermostat leadership is not something that just happens, but it is what you do. Listen to Dr. Joseph Williams use his voice and stories to help uplift and motivate us to #bethethermostat.

Express gratitude while you can! What do I mean? Give the roses to those who you want to thank now and do not wait till you wish you would have.

Want to know what moves you from hoping to do something to actually being motivated to do it? Today's Bow Tie Tuesday Tip will discuss the aspiration, inspiration, and motivation to achieve your wildest dreams!