Unseasonably Warm

Last week, the forecaster reported, “It’s going to be unseasonably warm today.” It’s true that the afternoon high was well above average for a January day. But I take issue with calling this “unseasonable.” Wide variations in temperature are the norm for Houston winters. Some days are cold and rainy. Others are cool and dry. And for at least a couple of days each January, the weather patterns produce temperatures in the upper 70’s. While those days last week were very pleasant, they were not abnormal for this time of year. It’s a lot like being a leader. There is no such thing as an “average day.” Some days (or weeks) are great – everything goes as planned, staff is unified, results are better than expected. Other times are just the opposite. Dealing with these highs and lows is just part of the journey for leaders. What does this mean for you? Start with thankfulness in good times. When the weather was nice last week, I was grateful. When it turned cooler and damp, I didn’t grumble because I knew that was just a normal part of the pattern in January. Similarly, I took advantage of the good weather to be outside. Effective leaders use the good seasons to take new ground and to celebrate. The weather analogy breaks down at two important points. Unlike the forecaster, leaders generally can’t predict when things will turn south. A key team member departs suddenly or a major new initiative fails. Like a person that finds himself in a rainstorm without an umbrella, leaders must often react to unexpected circumstances. That’s where the second departure from the analogy is important. None of us can change the weather. But by responding well, in good times and in bad, we can influence the trajectory of our organizations. In doing so, we have an opportunity to enjoy more “unseasonably warm” days in the future. It’s easy to receive my blogs by email. Just sign-up on Feedburner by clicking here.]]>