Why people need you to be more San Diego?
I know that sounds a bit strange, but stay with me.

There are places in the world known for their stability and consistency. Cities where the temperature barely shifts, and people wake up each day knowing roughly what to expect. One of the best examples is San Diego, where temperatures sit around 18–24°C most of the year, with low humidity, rare extremes, and minimal seasonal swings.

I can vouch for this personally, having stayed there many times on the way to Mexico on house-building trips. It’s a beautiful place. You can understand why people are drawn to it. The consistency creates ease. There’s no sense of bracing yourself for a sudden change in atmosphere.

But here’s the thing: places aren’t the only things that carry atmospheres.
People do too.
You do.

And people are drawn to leaders who carry a consistent atmosphere where there’s no second-guessing, no bracing for impact, no wondering what version of you they’re going to get.

“San Diego” leaders are good to have in the room.
People are pleased to see them.
They bring warmth.
They create safety.
They stir hope.
They foster curiosity.
They inspire faith.
And even when they bring a challenge, you know they're doing it from a place of love - they're on your side, not on your case!

They also model vulnerability because even San Diego has its off days. When those moments come, they’re honest enough to say so, so others don’t have to guess or walk on eggshells. It’s okay to not be okay, and to invite the same grace from others that you freely give away.

At the end of the day, people follow people.
Not perfect people, but consistent people.

So how do we grow in being more San Diego?

• Every day, ask the Holy Spirit to shape you into the steady, consistent character of Jesus.
• Be attentive to your emotions, learning to pause so you respond rather than react.
• Give trusted friends or colleagues permission to speak into your life and share honest observations.

If you want to explore this more with me and a cohort of leaders, then I'd love you to join us for the Reboot Your Leadership experience. We explore this more thoroughly and practically in session 2 - Shaping a life-giving culture (which includes your personal atmosphere).

Click HERE to find out more, and do come back to me if you have any questions. Here's what former participant, Seth Pinnock, had to say about his experience...

"Through engaging sessions, Reboot deepened my understanding of leading from a Christ-centred identity, cultivating a life-giving culture, and building teams that embody the love and wisdom of Jesus. The insights were invaluable, not just for my journey with Symphony Co. and its diverse initiatives but in every aspect of my faith-led leadership."