Creating a positive climate: A key responsibility of leadership

Claude Oppenheim, Ph.D., President
Oppenheim Education and Management Consulting

Employees and students often feel that the climate of their organization or school is simply “there”; a given created by the management or teacher, over which they have no influence.  At worst, they feel that they are merely the hapless “victim” who has no choice but to fit in or leave.

However, anyone who is or has been a manager of a business or other organization, or the head of a school, or the teacher in a classroom, knows that “climate” is not only created by the leader.  Although it is the leader who has a very major influence, everyone plays a role.  One has only to think of the difference that the presence or absence of one individual in a meeting or class can make to its mood, atmosphere and productivity to realize that climate is not the sole creation of the leader. 

Yet it is the leader who creates the environment that makes it more or less possible for everyone to contribute.  Are suggestions welcomed?  Is it “risky” to propose changes?  Is risk taking encouraged or punished?  Is it expected that everyone will be treated with respect? How much individual initiative is permitted?  A vital aspect of leadership is the ability to create a climate where everyone feels that he or she matters, and has a sense of “ownership”.  

While leaders  may believe that they are creating a very positive climate, they may be surprised to find that others disagree. Very few of us perceive ourselves as others do. It takes courage to be willing to find out how others really perceive our leadership.  Doing so, however, can be tremendously rewarding. 

That is why “climate surveys”, “employee satisfaction surveys”, “360 degree evaluations”, and other such tools, can be so useful.  They can provide deep insights, allowing us to make changes, often surprisingly simple and easy to do, that can dramatically change the climate of our organization and the success of our leadership.

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