The 4 Questions Conscious Leaders Ask Themselves

Summary

The transcript outlines the foundation of conscious leadership through four pivotal questions. It emphasizes self-awareness by identifying whether one is 'above the line'—open and curious—or 'below the line'—defensive and reactive. The key to overcoming fear and threat is self-acceptance. Leaders are urged to assess their willingness to shift perspectives and consider various strategies to make this transition. This framework encourages leaders to embrace change and foster a mindset that is open to learning and growth.

Takeaways

• 📍 The concept of 'above the line' and 'below the line' is central to conscious leadership, representing openness and curiosity versus closed-mindedness and defensiveness.
• 🔄 Regular self-assessment of one's position 'above' or 'below the line' is essential for conscious leadership, fostering awareness of one's mental state.
• 😌 Acceptance is the key to overcoming fear and feeling threatened, offering a breath of acceptance as a way to deal with being 'below the line'.
• 🤔 The willingness to shift, rather than just the desire to shift, is what truly matters in conscious leadership, emphasizing action over intention.
• 💡 Self-awareness and honesty are crucial in recognizing one's unwillingness to shift, which is as valuable as the willingness to change.
• 🛠 There are many 'shift moves' available for conscious leaders to choose from, allowing for a personalized approach to shifting one's perspective.
• 🔄 The four key questions for conscious leadership are: 'Where am I?', 'Can I accept myself?', 'Am I willing to shift?', and 'How will I shift?'
• 🧘‍♂️ Being 'above the line' is associated with a state of openness and curiosity, which is conducive to learning and growth.
• 🛡️ Being 'below the line' is characterized by a defensive stance and a desire to prove oneself right, which hinders personal development.
• 🌱 The process of shifting involves moving from a reactive, triggered state to a proactive, open-minded one, which is fundamental to conscious leadership.
• ❓ The questions posed by the script encourage introspection and self-reflection, which are necessary for personal and leadership development.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 'above the line' and 'below the line' concept in conscious leadership?

The 'above the line' and 'below the line' concept represents the state of mind of a leader. 'Above the line' indicates an open, curious, and learning mindset, while 'below the line' signifies a closed, defensive, and self-justifying state.

How often should a conscious leader ask themselves the location question?

A conscious leader should ask themselves the location question regularly to maintain awareness of their current state of mind.

What is the key to overcoming fear and feeling threatened in conscious leadership?

Acceptance is the key to overcoming fear and feeling threatened. It involves giving oneself one breath of acceptance for being just where they are.

What does it mean to be in a 'triggered reactive state'?

A 'triggered reactive state' refers to a condition where a leader is in response to a perceived threat or challenge, often characterized by fear and defensiveness.

How does the willingness to shift differ from wanting to shift in conscious leadership?

Willingness to shift is about being prepared to change one's perspective or approach actively, whereas wanting to shift is a passive desire for circumstances to be different.

What is the importance of self-awareness in the context of the willingness to shift?

Self-awareness is crucial as it allows a leader to honestly assess whether they are willing to shift or not, which is as valuable as the act of shifting itself.

How does the conscious leadership group facilitate the process of shifting?

The conscious leadership group offers a variety of shift moves or strategies to help leaders change their perspective or approach when they are willing to shift.

Why is it said that about 80% of the time we might be unwilling to shift?

This statistic suggests that self-aware leaders often recognize their resistance to change, which is an important part of the growth process in conscious leadership.

What does the term 'smorgasbord' imply in the context of shift moves?

The term 'smorgasbord' implies a wide array of options or strategies available for leaders to choose from when they decide to shift their perspective or approach.

How do the four questions contribute to the development of conscious leadership?

The four questions guide a leader through self-assessment, acceptance, willingness to change, and planning the shift, which are essential steps in the journey towards conscious leadership.

Can you provide an example of a shift move that a conscious leader might employ?

Examples of shift moves are not provided in the script, but they could include practices like mindfulness exercises, changing physical posture, reframing a situation, or seeking feedback from others.