Barometer

“I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It's my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized." ~ Dr. Haim Ginott

I am not in the best of moods today and just came across this.  It speaks volumes to personal responsibility and knowing the effect you have on those around you.  If you are familiar with the FISH principles then one of the tenets is that you make your mood, not your job.

I think Dr. Ginott's lesson here certainly applies to the classroom, but I think that it also applies to the workplace.  To lead is not necessarily to be a leader.