Leadership on the Line
We operate in an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment. From the climate crisis to geopolitical tensions and their impact on the global economy, leaders are often letting fear drive their behaviours. While it’s natural to feel this fear, it’s crucial to manage it and remain focused on what matters—to ourselves, our teams, and society.
Before diving into leadership strategies, let’s first talk about awareness. Awareness is simply the knowledge or understanding of a situation based on information or experience. When we’re aware, we’re fully conscious of our thoughts, emotions, and actions in the present moment.
Now, apply this to leadership. How aware are you of your behaviours, feelings, and how they’re experienced by others? Being truly aware helps us see where our leadership stands—whether we’re making intentional choices or falling into reactive patterns.
Imagine a line that represents your state of awareness. When you’re above the line, you are fully conscious and intentional in your leadership. You’re able to see your actions clearly and make choices that align with your values and goals. When you’re below the line, you’re operating out of habit, reacting to situations without full awareness, and often falling into unproductive or self-sabotaging behaviours.
Operating below the line can cause us to miss opportunities, fall into negative patterns, and fail to make the most of our leadership strengths. On the other hand, when we’re above the line, we can consciously shape our leadership and take purposeful action.
Mindset 1: Below the Line
In this state, we’re driven by fear, focusing on problems to solve and feeling defensive. This often leads to physical tension (tight chest, tense shoulders, headaches), and we become stuck in reactive, habitual behaviours. Some signs include:
Blaming others or ourselves
Self-doubt and excessive self-criticism
Focusing on gaps in skills rather than strengths
Avoiding action or withdrawing
Micromanaging or trying to control everything
Seeking approval or external validation
Over-analysing, leading to inaction
Avoiding calculated risks, stifling innovation
While these reactions may protect us in real danger, they are less helpful in day-to-day leadership. When in this mindset, we lose focus on solutions and instead dwell on emotions like fear or anxiety. Others may experience your leadership as confusing or demoralising during this time.
Mindset 2: Above the Line
Thankfully, there’s an alternative. In this state, we lead with a clear vision and energy for creating opportunities. Here, the tension we feel is "creative tension"—the productive gap between where we are and where we want to be. This mindset fosters a positive, forward-looking approach. Key principles of this mindset include:
A clear vision for what you wish to achieve
Reframing challenges as opportunities for growth
Taking personal responsibility and leveraging others' strengths
Bold, courageous action based on calculated risks
Leading intentionally, with purpose
Though it sounds straightforward, consistently operating “above the line” requires conscious effort. As humans, we’re wired to default to a defensive mindset, but we can train ourselves to stay above the line through practice.
Strategies for Leading Above the Line
1. Regular Self-Reflection:
Take time to connect with your values, strengths, and development areas. Keep a journal to track how your leadership impacts others. Note three positive actions you took each day and reflect on moments where you may have fallen below the line.
2. Clarify Your Purpose and Vision:
Revisit what gives you a sense of meaning, especially in the face of ongoing challenges. Ask yourself: Why am I in this role? How does my work benefit society? Aligning your leadership with a clear purpose helps guide your actions and decisions.
3. Practice Self-Compassion:
No one stays above the line all the time. When you find yourself slipping below, avoid self-criticism. Instead, get curious and remain self-compassionate. Ask yourself, “What’s triggering this reaction in me?” and “How can I learn from this?”
4. Engage in Mindfulness or Meditation:
Fear activates our nervous system, but mindfulness or breathing exercises can calm it. Building a daily mindfulness habit, even for just five minutes, can help break the cycle of rumination and anxiety.
5. Seek Support:
Don’t go it alone. Trusted colleagues, peers, or a coach can help you gain perspective and stay accountable. Discussing your challenges with others can offer valuable insights and support
Take a moment to reflect on how others (your team, peers, board, or even family) are experiencing your leadership. Are your actions guided by fear or a clear vision? By deliberately slowing down to identify where you are—above or below the line—you can cultivate greater self-awareness, make better decisions, and grow your leadership to meet the challenges of today’s complex environment.
We are a boutique development consultancy committed to supporting leaders to reveal the leadership within. We’d love to hear from you, check out our new website here: https://www.artemgroup.com.au/
