Above the Line Leadership Mindset

In this episode of The Rooted Leader podcast, I discuss the “above the line/below the line” framework, drawing on Brené Brown’s work, to help leaders recognize reactive patterns like the victim-hero-villain Drama Triangle and shift into more generative “above the line” thinking. Below the line responses are described as defensive, threat-based reactions (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) linked to an “amygdala hijack,” often accompanied by anger, fear, anxiety, or panic. The episode contrasts the Drama Triangle with the Empowerment Dynamic (victim to creator, persecutor to challenger, rescuer to coach), sharing examples from parenting, coaching clients facing job-search overwhelm, and group coaching, and closes with three takeaways and reflection questions to build compassion and faster recognition of reactive states. Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe