The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders

108. Be the Thermostat

A thermostat sets the temperature. Master leaders create a motivating environment by setting the range within which they want individuals and groups to operate. They set the tone to move events the way they want them to go. They keep things cool when people and situations heat up. They also instill the necessary fire to get people moving when necessary.

Consider John Wooden, perhaps the most successful basketball coach in history. His UCLA Bruins teams won seven NCAA championships in a row and ten in eleven years. Wooden was famous for never getting riled. He never showed strong emotions and never let the pace of the game overshadow his thinking and action. He also never complained to the referees. The only tension Wooden ...