Locating Yourself - A Key to Conscious Leadership

The Conscious Leadership Group

15 Nov 201403:35

Summary

TLDRThe video script by the Conscious Leadership Group introduces a simple tool to help leaders assess their mindset: a line that separates being 'above the line'—open, curious, and committed to learning—and 'below the line'—closed, defensive, and focused on being right. It discusses the typical beliefs and behaviors associated with each state, emphasizing that while going below the line is a natural response to perceived threats, it hinders creativity and collaboration. The script encourages leaders to be aware of their current location on the line to foster growth and effective leadership.

Takeaways

🔍 Conscious leaders frequently ask themselves 'Where am I?' to understand their current state.
📏 The script introduces a tool: a simple black line to represent one's state as either above or below the line.
⬆️ Being 'above the line' signifies openness, curiosity, and a commitment to learning.
⬇️ Being 'below the line' indicates a closed, defensive mindset focused on being right.
🌐 People below the line often perceive scarcity, believe their viewpoint is correct, and feel threatened.
😠 Individuals below the line may exhibit behaviors like clinging to opinions, blaming, and avoiding or seeking conflict.
🌱 Above the line, individuals prioritize growth, see all situations as opportunities, and maintain a humorous perspective.
🤔 Those above the line engage in deep listening, speak without argument, question beliefs, and embrace a playful life.
🧠 The human brain is naturally inclined to perceive threats and react defensively, which can lead to a 'below the line' state.
🚀 For modern leaders, being in a 'below the line' state hinders creativity, collaboration, and innovation, which are essential for thriving.
🗣️ The first step in conscious leadership is self-awareness of one's location above or below the line, which initiates meaningful dialogue.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the video script provided?
-The central theme of the video script is the concept of 'Location' in the context of conscious leadership, which refers to whether a leader is above or below a metaphorical line that represents their state of being.
What does being 'above the line' signify for a leader?
-Being 'above the line' signifies that a leader is open, curious, and committed to learning, which is a state conducive to creativity, collaboration, innovation, and relational connection.
What are the typical beliefs and behaviors associated with being 'below the line'?
-Being 'below the line' is characterized by beliefs such as scarcity (not enough money, time, etc.), a sense of threat to approval, control, or security, and a serious view of situations. Behaviors include clinging to opinions, finding fault, blaming, gossiping, explaining, rationalizing, justifying, getting overwhelmed, and either avoiding or pursuing conflict.
How does the video script suggest leaders can identify their current 'location'?
-Leaders are encouraged to stop and ask themselves, 'Where am I?' to determine if they are above or below the line in the current moment.
What is the significance of the phrase 'Location. Location. Location.' in the context of the script?
-The phrase 'Location. Location. Location.' is used to emphasize the importance of self-awareness and the continuous self-assessment of a leader's state of being in relation to the line.
Why is it natural for humans to go 'below the line'?
-It is natural for humans to go 'below the line' because our brains are hardwired to perceive threats, triggering a chemical response designed for survival, even when the threat is to our ego or identity rather than physical survival.
What is the impact of being 'below the line' on a leader's ability to lead effectively?
-Being 'below the line' puts a leader in a survival mode, which is not conducive to high levels of creativity, collaboration, innovation, and relational connection, all of which are essential for effective leadership in modern times.
What does the video script suggest as the first step in conscious leadership?
-The first step in conscious leadership, as suggested by the video script, is to be aware of one's current 'location' and to engage in truthful self-assessment and conversation about it.
How does the video script define the state of being 'above the line'?
-Being 'above the line' is defined as a state where leaders value learning and growth over being right, see all people and circumstances as allies for growth, and maintain a humorous perspective on life's challenges.
What are the key actions that leaders 'above the line' are encouraged to practice?
-Leaders 'above the line' are encouraged to practice curiosity, deep listening, speaking unarguably, questioning their beliefs, and living a life of play.
What is the role of the simple black line as a tool in the script?
-The simple black line serves as a visual and conceptual tool to help leaders locate their current state of being, either above or below the line, which represents different attitudes and behaviors.

Outlines

00:00

📍 Conscious Leadership and the Line

The video script introduces the concept of 'Location' in the context of conscious leadership, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and the state of being 'above the line' or 'below the line.' Above the line signifies an open, curious, and learning mindset, while below the line indicates a closed, defensive, and correctness-focused attitude. The video encourages leaders to reflect on their current state and recognize the limiting beliefs and behaviors associated with being below the line, such as scarcity thinking, defensiveness, and a serious outlook on life. It also points out that humans are biologically predisposed to perceive threats, which can trigger a defensive response, even when the threat is to one's ego rather than physical survival. The script concludes by highlighting the necessity for leaders to be above the line to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation, which are essential for thriving in modern leadership roles.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Conscious Leadership

Conscious Leadership refers to a leadership style that emphasizes self-awareness, mindfulness, and the ability to respond effectively to situations with emotional intelligence. In the video, it is the foundation for understanding how leaders can navigate their responses to challenges and maintain a state of creativity and connection. The script mentions that conscious leaders ask themselves 'Where am I?' to locate their mental and emotional state, which is a core practice of conscious leadership.

💡Location

In the context of the video, 'Location' is a metaphor for the mental and emotional state of a leader. It is used to describe whether a leader is 'above the line' or 'below the line,' indicating their openness to learning and growth versus being defensive and closed. The video script repeatedly emphasizes the importance of self-location as a critical first step in conscious leadership.

💡Above the Line

'Above the Line' is a concept that signifies a state of openness, curiosity, and commitment to learning. Leaders who are above the line are depicted as being more receptive to new ideas and willing to engage in collaborative problem-solving. The video contrasts this state with 'below the line,' where leaders may become defensive and less effective.

💡Below the Line

'Below the Line' represents a state of being closed off, defensive, and focused on being right rather than learning. The video describes how individuals in this state may perceive scarcity, feel threatened, and see situations as serious, leading to behaviors like blame and avoidance of conflict. This state is contrasted with 'above the line' to highlight the importance of conscious leadership.

💡Learning and Growing

The video emphasizes that for leaders who are above the line, learning and growing are more important than being right. This concept is central to conscious leadership, as it encourages leaders to embrace new experiences and perspectives, which can lead to personal and professional development. The video suggests that this mindset is crucial for modern leaders to thrive.

💡Scarcity Mindset

A 'Scarcity Mindset' is mentioned in the video as a belief held by people below the line, where they perceive there to be a lack of resources such as money, time, or love. This mindset can lead to defensive behaviors and a focus on competition rather than collaboration. The video contrasts this with the abundance mindset of those above the line.

💡Threat Perception

The video discusses how our brains are hardwired to perceive threats, which can lead to a 'below the line' state. It explains that while this reaction was evolutionarily designed for physical survival, modern leaders often experience it in response to ego or identity threats, which can hinder creativity and collaboration.

💡Survival Mode

The term 'Survival Mode' is used in the video to describe a state where leaders are focused on self-preservation rather than growth and innovation. Being in survival mode is depicted as natural but not conducive to the high levels of creativity and connection needed for effective leadership in contemporary contexts.

💡Curiosity

Curiosity is presented in the video as a key attribute of leaders who are above the line. It is associated with an open-minded approach to learning and an eagerness to explore new ideas. The video suggests that living in curiosity is essential for conscious leaders to foster innovation and maintain strong relationships.

💡Play

The concept of 'Play' in the video refers to the idea that leaders above the line approach life with a sense of fun and lightheartedness, which can enhance creativity and reduce stress. It contrasts with the seriousness often found in 'below the line' states and is presented as a way to maintain a positive and engaging leadership style.

💡Chemical Cocktail

The 'Chemical Cocktail' mentioned in the video refers to the physiological response that occurs when the brain perceives a threat, leading to a 'below the line' state. This term is used to illustrate the automatic and often unconscious nature of the body's reaction to perceived danger, which can impact a leader's ability to think clearly and creatively.

Highlights

Conscious leaders frequently ask themselves, 'Where am I?' to understand their current state.

A simple black line is used as a tool to represent one's location: above the line or below it.

Being above the line signifies openness, curiosity, and a commitment to learning.

Below the line indicates a closed, defensive stance focused on being right.

People below the line often believe in scarcity, such as not enough money or love.

Individuals below the line perceive their story about a situation as the absolute truth.

A belief in external threats to approval, control, or security is common below the line.

Seriousness increases the deeper one's location is below the line.

Below the line behaviors include clinging to opinions, finding fault, and avoiding or pursuing conflict.

Above the line, learning and growth are prioritized over being right.

An ally mindset is adopted above the line, where all people and circumstances are seen as opportunities for growth.

Humor is found in almost everything when viewed from a distance, a perspective often held above the line.

Curiosity, deep listening, and unarguable speaking are behaviors of those above the line.

Questioning one's beliefs and living a playful life are encouraged above the line.

The brain is hardwired to perceive threats, leading to a below the line state.

Modern leaders face challenges as their brains may not distinguish between physical and ego threats.

Being below the line is natural but not conducive to creativity, collaboration, or innovation.

Conscious leadership begins with self-location and honesty about one's current state.