The ‘Atmosphere’ We Create: Lloyd George Gordon on Leading Ourselves First

In a recent LinkedIn post, Lloyd George Gordon explores the profound connection between a leader’s personal state and the atmosphere they create, both at home and in the workplace. Gordon draws a parallel between his responsibilities as a father and a business leader, highlighting how the ‘version of me that turns up’ significantly impacts those around him.

Gordon emphasizes that his personal well-being and mindset directly influence his interactions and effectiveness. He states:

“If I start my day stressed, distracted and already reacting to the world, that energy follows me into everything. My meetings. My decisions. My home. My marriage. My conversations with my children.”

The Importance of Starting the Day with Intention

A key theme in Gordon’s post is the critical role of how one begins their day. He argues that prioritizing personal clarity and strength before engaging with external demands is essential for effective leadership and presence. Gordon explains that his practice of putting faith first is not about an easy life, but about equipping himself to handle life’s challenges.

According to Gordon, this intentional start provides the necessary:

• Clarity
• Strength
• Perspective

He elaborates on the impact of this approach:

“It gives me the clarity, strength and perspective to deal with life properly.”

Setting the ‘Temperature’ for Others

Gordon extends this concept beyond personal benefit, arguing that every individual sets a ‘temperature’ or atmosphere in their various environments. This applies equally to family, friendships, and professional teams. He asserts that people are highly attuned to the emotional state of those around them, often sensing it before any words are spoken.

As Gordon notes, the impact is felt acutely by those who depend on us:

“Your partner knows when the pressure from work has followed you through the front door. Your team knows when you are calm and in control, and they also know when you are frustrated, distracted or emotionally unpredictable.”

He further suggests that effective leadership is as much about the emotional and atmospheric impact as it is about direct communication. This is a lesson he attributes to both business and parenthood.

Leading Yourself Before Leading Others

The post strongly advocates for self-leadership as a prerequisite for leading others. Gordon warns against starting the day with external noise, comparisons, or the opinions of others, as this often leads to a reactive state. Instead, he proposes beginning with reflection, gratitude, and clarity to foster patience, strength, and perspective.

Gordon acknowledges the difficulty in achieving this consistently:

“None of us gets this right every day. There are days when #work gets too much of us. Days when the people we love get what is left. Days when we are busy providing for everyone, but not truly present for anyone.”

Despite these challenges, he concludes that the people who depend on us deserve our best, not our ‘leftovers.’ Therefore, protecting the beginning of the day and deciding who or what receives our attention first is paramount. Before leading a business or guiding children, Gordon argues, one must first lead themselves and exemplify the desired qualities.