A couple of months ago I was on a run listening to a podcast when I heard the phrase, “Leaders bring the weather.” It stopped me in my tracks. A few weeks prior, one of my good friends who knows me well referred to me as “partly cloudy.” His assessment wasn’t wrong, but I didn’t have the context until I heard that phrase. Leaders bring the weather.
When I Google it, I see several references to this statement, each with a slightly different take on its meaning. Here’s my take: whether they know it or not, a leader sets the environment and the conditions his or her team interacts in, and those around them are likely act and operate accordingly. If you were to show up to an interaction casting doubt, negativity, and overall moodiness, you’re unlikely to foster an upbeat atmosphere. In other words, you can bring the clouds and the rain, but don’t be surprised when those around you open up their umbrellas.
As a leader of a company, I feel the pull to be suitably optimistic, humble, reserved, and cautious all at the same time. This may be the “partly cloudy” me. As a community and family leader, it seems similar with maybe a stronger proportion of optimism and a little less reservation. This may be the “partly sunny” me.
In any case, I know that when I show up, I bring the weather. I need to own that and I need to bring the right conditions and environment to each interaction to give it the best chance to be successful, whatever that entails. I think the leader’s role is to do his or her best to bring the proper weather for the circumstances to give the interaction the best chance to be productive. Range and reading the room matters.
Remember – you bring the weather.
Mike Espeset
President