Mei 30-2025
By: Markus Kristianto
Imagine two devices on the wall of your office: a thermometer and a thermostat. Both deal with temperature, but in fundamentally different ways. A thermometer is passive; it merely reacts—its mercury rises or falls depending on the environment around it. It lacks the ability to change anything. A thermostat, on the other hand, is active and proactive. It has a preset goal. It measures temperature, but then takes action—turning on the heater if it’s too cold or the cooler if it’s too hot—to bring the environment back to the desired point. It doesn’t just react; it responds with intent to shape its surroundings.
This powerful metaphor—being a “Thermostat” rather than a “Thermometer”—is deeply relevant in the context of professional responsibility, especially for those on a journey of personal growth. In a world filled with complexity, pressure, and rapid change, it’s easy to fall into the “Thermometer” pattern: blaming circumstances, getting caught up in office drama, feeling like a victim of leadership decisions, market shifts, or difficult colleagues. Responsibility, in this context, is often seen as a burden or an externally imposed duty.
However, true responsibility—the kind that empowers and liberates—is the essence of becoming a “Thermostat” individual. It’s not about controlling everything outside of yourself (that’s impossible), but about mastering your responses, actions, and influence. This is the heart of professional development: transitioning from reactive to proactive, from victim to creator, from measuring problems to regulating solutions.
Unpacking the “Thermometer” Mentality: The Trap of Reactivity
Professionals stuck in the “Thermometer” mindset often display:
Blaming Culture: “The project failed because the client wasn’t cooperative.” “My career stalled because my boss doesn’t appreciate me.” “Targets weren’t met because the sales team was slow.” The focus is always on external factors. Energy is spent assigning blame instead of seeking action.
Victim Mentality: Feeling like a constant victim of circumstances, unfair policies, or other people’s behaviour. Statements like “I had no choice…”, “They made me…”, or “I’m forced to…” are common. Personal power feels non-existent.
Emotional Reactivity: Mood and performance fluctuate wildly, heavily influenced by the office atmosphere, colleague behaviour, deadlines, or even the weather. A bad day can ruin an entire week of productivity. Minor criticism is experienced as a major attack.
Waiting for External Change: Passively waiting for solutions from management, other departments, or even “luck.” Rarely initiates improvement without being explicitly asked. Believes change must start “from the top.”
Problem-Focused Thinking: Conversations are dominated by complaints, how bad things are, and how hard it is to change. Analysis often becomes excessive, producing no actionable steps forward.
Avoidance of Responsibility: Dodging challenging tasks due to fear of failure and blame. Or, if involved, seeks approval from multiple parties to dilute responsibility.
This pattern stunts personal growth and limits your contribution and influence in any organization. It creates a vicious cycle of powerlessness and dissatisfaction.
The Thermostat Shift: Embracing Proactive Responsibility
Becoming a “Thermostat” means shifting the center of control from external forces to internal strength. It marks the journey to emotional and professional maturity:
Responsibility = Response-Ability: This is the core definition. Responsibility is not a burden, but the power to choose your response. Between stimulus (what happens) and response, there is a space. In that space lies your freedom and strength. A Thermostat knows they can’t control the stimulus, but they fully control their interpretation, emotion, and action.
Proactivity Over Reactivity: A Thermostat doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It defines its desired outcome (“ideal temperature”) and takes action toward it—even when the environment is unsupportive. Focus is placed on the Circle of Influence (things you can control) rather than the Circle of Concern (things you worry about but can’t control).
Full Ownership: Acknowledging your role in every situation—including failure—without harsh self-blame. “What’s my part in this? What can I learn? What can I do differently next time?” Ownership also means humbly claiming success and recognizing others’ contributions.
Solution-Oriented Mindset: When problems arise, a Thermostat swiftly shifts from cause analysis (important but brief) to exploring solutions. The questions are “How can we fix this?” or “What’s the next small step?”, not “Why did this happen?” or “Whose fault is this?”
Conscious Emotional Management: Like a thermostat senses temperature, you sense your emotions—but aren’t ruled by them. You develop strategies to regulate anger, anxiety, and frustration, remaining calm and focused under pressure.
Initiative and Innovation: Not waiting for instruction. Spotting opportunities, proposing ideas, and being brave enough to act without full certainty.
Building Positive Influence: With a proactive, responsible mindset, a Thermostat naturally becomes a positive force within teams. They inspire others, elevate standards, and become agents of change—creating a more productive and positive workplace climate.
Practical Strategies to Develop a “Thermostat” Mentality
The journey toward being a Thermostat requires self-awareness and consistent practice. Here are concrete steps:
Identify Your Reactive Patterns: Begin with self-observation. When do you tend to act like a Thermometer? What triggers you—criticism, tight deadlines, conflict? Track your reactions in a journal.
Practice the “Pause”: When triggered, pause before reacting. Take a deep breath (inhale for 3, hold for 1, exhale for 6). This moment of pause breaks the automatic cycle and allows your rational mind to regain control.
Reframe Your Perspective: Challenge negative interpretations. Instead of “My boss criticized me because he hates me,” try “He gave feedback—maybe there’s something I can learn.” Instead of “This client is impossible,” ask, “What needs haven’t been met yet? How can I communicate better?”
Focus on Your Circle of Influence: List what you can control (your actions, attitude, words, priorities, time use) and what you can only influence (team decisions, policies—through performance and communication). Spend 80% of your energy on your influence circle. For concerns, ask: “What’s one small step I can take?”
Ask Empowering Questions:
Instead of “Why does this always happen to me?” ask “What can I learn?”
Instead of “Who’s to blame?” ask “How can we fix this?”
Instead of “Why won’t they change?” ask “What can I do differently?”
Instead of “What if I fail?” ask “What’s the next step I can take?”
Own Your Language:
Replace “I have to…” with “I choose to…”
“I can’t…” with “I choose not to…” or “I haven’t found a way yet…”
“They made me angry” with “I chose to feel angry…”
“If only Department X…” with “What can I do to better collaborate with them?”
“That’s not my job” with “It’s not my main role, but how can I support?”
Language shapes reality. Ownership language reinforces internal control.
Practice Emotional Agility: Don’t suppress emotions. Acknowledge them (“I feel frustrated now”), name them, then ask: “What does this emotion need from me? What’s its message? What constructive action aligns with my values?”
Set the “Ideal Temperature” and Act: Regularly define what you want (project goals, work relationships, personal performance). This is your thermostat setting. Then daily ask: “What 1–2 small actions can I take today to move closer?”
Build Accountability: Share your goals with trusted peers, mentors, or coaches. Ask them to check in on your progress. External accountability strengthens internal commitment.
Celebrate Progress and Learn from All Results: Appreciate your efforts and small wins. When results fall short, avoid self-blame. Instead ask: “What worked? What didn’t? Why? What will I do differently?” Every experience becomes fuel for growth.
The Professional Benefits of Becoming a “Thermostat”
Shifting to a Thermostat mindset brings real professional gains:
Increased Performance & Productivity: Focusing on what’s actionable improves efficiency and results.
Better Decision-Making: Calm, measured responses lead to more strategic choices.
Recognized Leadership: Proactive, solution-focused professionals attract respect and trust—laying the groundwork for true leadership, regardless of title.
Greater Resilience: Managing internal responses builds strength to face challenges and change.
Healthier Work Relationships: Reduced blame and emotional reactivity leads to trust and collaboration.
Faster Career Growth: Problem-solvers and change agents naturally earn more opportunities.
Greater Fulfilment: Taking ownership of your actions creates a sense of empowerment and autonomy.
Increased Credibility: Being known for ownership and solutions boosts your professional reputation.
Responsibility as the Foundation of Self-Development
Professional growth isn’t just about mastering technical skills or earning certifications. At its core, it’s a journey of personal transformation. And the foundation of this transformation is a mindset shift from reactivity (Thermometer) to proactive responsibility (Thermostat).
Responsibility in this sense is the highest form of strength. It’s the refusal to be a victim of circumstance and the claim of your power to shape your reality—at least in how you navigate it. It’s the commitment to bring your best self forward, regardless of what happens around you.
Becoming a Thermostat means recognizing that your external environment—market pressures, team dynamics, company policies—will always fluctuate, like temperature. You cannot stop these fluctuations. But you can set your internal climate: your attitude, your focus, your commitment to solutions, your quality of response. You have the power to influence your surroundings and create a ripple effect.
Choosing Your Thermostat Daily
Becoming a Thermostat is not a destination, but a daily practice. There will be days when reactivity tempts you. The key is awareness and a commitment to return to your centre of control.
Start small. When pressure rises, remind yourself: “Will I be a Thermometer or a Thermostat in this moment?” Pause. Breathe. Ask an empowering question. Focus on one small action within your control.
True responsibility is not a chain that binds—it’s the wings that let you rise above the chaos. When you claim the ability to respond—with courage, creativity, focus, and integrity—you not only grow yourself, you raise the bar for those around you. You become the architect of your own success and a vital contributor to a more constructive and successful professional climate.
Choose to regulate, not just measure. Choose to shape, not just react. Choose to be the Thermostat. This is the essence of empowering professional responsibility and the path to your fullest potential.
To help you build deeper responsibility and take concrete steps forward, join the “Success Spirit” training program by Qando Qoaching. This program is specially designed for professionals who want to build trust and create a growth-driven environment, turning success into a collaborative journey toward greater achievements.
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Let’s move forward together toward a Greater Indonesia!
