Rise Above the Line

There is a lot going on in the world that feels radical and oftentimes shocking, so it may feel difficult to “stay above the line”. I am with you! I teach this concept in nearly every leadership workshop and keynote I give—and still, I have to practice it every single day. We are human, we have emotions and moods, yet we have to refrain from letting them run the show (and our lives!) 

Recently, I found myself spiraling. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks on my list, telling myself there was no way I could get it all done. The story in my head started to snowball: Why didn’t they follow through? Why is this all on me? This isn’t fair. Before I knew it, I was blaming others, feeling sorry for myself, and sinking into a state of frustration. It completely stopped my momentum.

Until I caught it…

That’s the power of awareness. I realized I was operating below the line—reactive, stressed, and unconsciously giving away my power. In that moment, I took back the reins. I paused, took a deep breath, and made a different choice. I reminded myself that I always have agency. And I chose to take 100% responsibility for how I was showing up.

There’s a moment—sometimes so subtle we miss it—when we get to choose how we show up.

That moment is the line.

In any situation, we’re either above the line or below the line. It’s a simple visual, but it represents a powerful distinction between two states of being.

Above the line is where we are conscious and intentional. We’re open, creative, grounded, curious, and willing to take responsibility. We lead from vision, possibility, and care.

Below the line is where we get stuck. It’s a reactive space driven by fear, judgment, blame, or the need to control. I often see it—especially with managers leading from a Level 2 energy, rooted in resistance and frustration. That command-and-control style may yield short-term results, but it limits growth, drains teams, and fosters a culture of stress.

Leadership starts on the inside. Before we can lead others with impact, we have to learn how to lead ourselves—with awareness, presence, and integrity. That means tuning in, noticing when we’ve slipped below the line, and having the courage to shift. It requires deep self-awareness and an even deeper trust—in ourselves and in the process.

In my work with teams, we use this framework—paired with the Energy Leadership assessment—to build self-awareness, shift team dynamics, and create a common language for how people show up. When leaders understand where they are on the line and how to shift, everything changes: conversations open, trust deepens, and real leadership begins.

With Heart, 

P.S. If you're interested in bringing this work to your team, I offer individual Energy Leadership Assessments and one-on-one debriefs for individuals and teams. It’s a powerful way to help each person see where they operate under stress and how they can consciously shift to operate more above the line. Message me if you want to know more. I’d love to support your team in being their best.