Are You the Thermometer or the Thermostat? A Real Talk for Medical Staff Professionals
You’ve probably heard the phrase before: “You’re either the thermometer or the thermostat.” It’s catchy, sure, but it’s also a surprisingly powerful way to think about how we show up at work, especially in the world of medical staff services.
If you’re in credentialing, privileging, or enrollment, you already know your job isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about people. It’s about precision. And it’s about keeping the healthcare engine running smoothly behind the scenes. So let’s break down what this metaphor really means and why it matters so much in your world.
Thermometer vs. Thermostat: What’s the Difference?
- A thermometer reacts to the environment. If the room is hot, it shows hot. If it’s cold, it shows cold. It reflects whatever is happening around it.
- A thermostat, on the other hand, sets the temperature. It senses what’s going on, then makes adjustments to bring things back to balance.
In the workplace, this translates to how we respond to stress, change, and pressure. Are we absorbing the chaos or are we helping to calm it?
Why This Matters in Credentialing, Privileging, and Enrollment
Let’s be real: your job can be intense. You’re juggling provider files, regulatory deadlines, payer enrollments, system updates, audits, and a whole lot of “urgent” emails. And often, you’re doing it all while navigating shifting policies, tight timelines, and sometimes unclear communication from multiple departments.
In this kind of environment, it’s easy to slip into thermometer mode. When leadership is stressed, you feel it. When a provider is frustrated, it lands on your desk. When systems go down or a payer changes their process (again), it can feel like everything is on fire.
But here’s the thing: the people who thrive in this field, the ones who become the go-to, the steady hand, the trusted voice are the thermostats. They don’t just react. They regulate. They bring clarity when things get messy. They stay calm when others panic. They help set the tone for how the team moves forward.
What Being a Thermostat Looks Like in Your Role
- When a provider is upset about delays, you don’t just echo their frustration – you explain the process, offer solutions, and help them feel heard.
- When leadership is pushing for faster turnaround, you don’t just absorb the pressure – you communicate what’s realistic, suggest process improvements, and keep things moving without burning out.
- When a new regulation drops, you don’t just panic – you dig in, learn it, and help others understand what needs to change.
Being a thermostat doesn’t mean you don’t feel stress. It means you choose how to respond to it and in doing so, you help others do the same.
Tips for Shifting from Thermometer to Thermostat
- Pause before reacting
Take a breath. Ask yourself: “Am I reflecting the stress around me, or am I helping to manage it?” - Stay curious, not defensive
When something goes wrong, dig into the “why” instead of jumping to blame. That mindset shift alone can change the whole tone of a conversation. - Communicate with clarity and calm
Whether you’re emailing a provider or updating leadership, your tone sets the tone. Be clear, be kind, and be confident. - Lean on your team
Thermostats don’t work alone. Share the load, ask for help, and support each other. Regulating the temperature is a team effort. - Celebrate the wins
In a field where the work is often invisible unless something goes wrong, take time to recognize what’s going right. That positivity is part of setting the climate too.
Final Thoughts
Credentialing, privileging, and enrollment may not always be front and center in the healthcare spotlight, but without you, the whole system would grind to a halt. You’re the gatekeepers of quality, the protectors of compliance, and the quiet force behind patient safety.
So the next time things get hectic (and they will) ask yourself: Am I being the thermometer, or the thermostat?
Because in a world that’s constantly shifting, the ability to stay grounded, steady, and proactive isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a superpower.
