Checking the Temperature: Leading with Calm in Difficult Times

Tao is being fussier than usual. In between screams and gasps for breath, he makes a faint but familiar sound.

“Did you hear that? That’s new, right?” Lisa asks.

We move closer to him, hovering over his bassinet. He makes the sound again.

“There!” Lisa turns her head towards me as she says. “Was that a cough?”

“Yea, I think so.”

It’s usually exciting when Tao does something new, but not this time. Someone in our family, whom we were with a few days ago, tested positive for COVID yesterday, putting us on high alert. We quickly learn how to use the rectal thermometer and check his temperature. It starts at 99.6—high, but not cause for panic. A few hours later, the screen flashes 100.5.

”That’s not good,” Lisa says holding the thermometer into the light.

Up until that point, I’d been doing my best to stay calm and not jump to conclusions. But I knew that anything over 100.4 can be dangerous for a newborn, so when his temperature crossed that threshold, something shifted. I went from “let’s wait and see” mode to “it’s time to act.”

I calmly asked Lisa to call the nurse advice line as I started packing what we would need for a trip to the ER. By the time the nurse picked up, I had the car ready and was mentally prepared to go. It felt like the labor night all over again.

In tough times, people need a leader who can take action without adding extra stress to the situation. However, that doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine when it’s not. People won’t trust you if they feel you’re hiding the truth or lying to yourself and others. Instead, begin by acknowledging the situation and checking in on your team. Then, clarify what needs to be done and focus on taking the first steps toward that goal. Along the way, remember to pause and check the temperature—of both your people and yourself.