Above or Below the line

Last week Claire and I had a chat about communication as it is always essential but even more so at the moment with so much going. She showed me a video about being above or below the line.

My take-away points from the video are:

·      When dealing with something in the “now”, ask yourself “Where am I?” – above or below the line?

·      Being above the line means you are open, curious and committed to learning

o   Learning and growing is more important than being right

o   Allies (Colleagues) are here for your growth

o   Curious

o   Question own beliefs

o   Listen

·      Being below the line means you are closed, defensive and committed to being right

o   Some traits are:

§  There’s not enough…..

§  My story is right

§  The situation is considered to be a threat to approval of me, my control or my security

o   Cling to my opinion

o   Find fault, blame, gossip

o   Feel overwhelmed

o   Conflict – either avoidance of, or for the sake of winning

·      As humans we are programmed to go below the line to protect ourselves from a threat – whether this threat is real or not – ego or actual security

·      When we are below the line we can’t;

o   Collaborate

o   Innovate

o   Create

o   Socially connect

Need to ask myself where I am, but also why? If I’m below the line what has put me there and how can I get back above the line – a bit like getting out of “the pit”!

I used to…… I now…… is another way of reflecting on changes I’ve made and the impact the changes have had. Which links nicely to the PD with Tony Burkin about being Professional.

One further link I've made (through google!) is to the Key Competency of Managing Self. Trisch from St Joseph's shared this with me:
Pick up your OAR or go back to BED;
O - Ownership
A - Accountability
R - Responsible
B - Blame
E - Excuse
D - Denial

And this is something we can use ourselves and with our children.