Above or Below the Line… Where Are You?
4:00 minute read – April 10, 2026
I know I’ve written about this before, but this week it feels more relevant than ever. Before you read on, please take three minutes to watch this clip—it might genuinely change your life.
What follows is a brief section from my new book, Igniting the Powder Keg: Seven Keys for Nonprofit Board Engagement. It captures a short, yet important conversation between two nonprofit leaders as “Carla and Bo” reflect on her board of directors after watching the video.
Carla began, “The first time I watched it (the video), I kept thinking about people I know who are below the line. I wondered how their below the line attitudes were negatively affecting them. Then I thought specifically about a couple of board members and how their attitudes might be impacting the board’s functioning. That’s when I had a big aha moment.”
“And what was that?” Bo asked quickly.
“It doesn’t matter if those people are above or below the line. Well, actually, it does for them, but what’s much more important is whether I am above or below the line. You see, I can only control my own behavior. While I might want board members to act differently, that’s ultimately up to them.”
“Help me understand what that means to you and why it’s important,” Bo said. As Carla continued, Bo began making notes on a napkin.
“First of all, when I’m above the line, I’m curious, open, and able to see the humor in situations. I’m mentally agile and willing to take risks, actively trying to be my best self and to find the best in others. But when I’m below the line, I’m quick to become judgmental and think I’m always right. In that state, I’d rather be right than change. I can become closed off to new ideas and unwilling to take risks. Bo, if I or the board is below the line, it would definitely affect our ability to get into an innovative space.”
“Wow, that’s insightful,” replied Bo. “Anything else that seems relevant from the video?”
“There were a number of things, but I’ll share two that seem most important,” responded Carla. “First, when I’m below the line, my brain can’t tell the difference between a real threat and an imagined one. As a result, my body reacts defensively, shutting down creative thinking and making productive conversations nearly impossible. The second is related. When we’re provoked, we’re all prone to going below the line. So, how can we equip the board with tools to manage their emotions—even during the most difficult or divisive discussions—effectively, staying above the line?”
That idea has been on my mind a lot lately—especially in the midst of the whiplash of current events.
The war is on. The war is off. There’s a two-week ceasefire. The ceasefire doesn’t apply to Israel and Lebanon. Yes, it does. No, it doesn’t. The Strait is open. The Strait is closed. How does this affect my organization? How will it affect funding and donor’s attitudes?
Yikes!
In my previous blog, I mentioned a large nonprofit that, for decades, partnered closely with USAID—relying on U.S. government resources and funding. Now, that very organization is literally under both verbal, legal and financial assault from our own government.
Who could have thought only a few years ago that this would have been possible? Whiplash!
Even the best leaders can feel frustrated, uncertain, angry, and discouraged in moments like these. It becomes incredibly easy to slip “below the line”—to feel like the world is working against you—without realizing how that mindset quietly shapes your decisions.
So we have to ask better questions.
Instead of “Why me?” or “Why is this happening?” or “When will this end?” what if we asked: “What conditions exist right now that—if we saw them as opportunities—could transform the lives of those we serve in ways that weren’t possible before?”
The first set of questions take us below the line to a place filled with zero-sum thinking. If we can stay above the line long enough, we’ll approach the whiplash of change with new eyes, to see opportunity. This matters. You matter. Be alert and do what it takes to stay above the line. It matters. You matter!
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Please share this with your friends who are nonprofit leaders.
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This blog shares perspectives on how you could create new story endings that are filled with meaning, power and hope. I facilitate culture-changing processes through keynotes, workshops and consulting that help organizations achieve greater impact. Also, I provide leadership coaching to help executives and aspiring leaders become the fullest expression of who they’re intended to be. If you’re looking for coaching or consulting services, contact me at contactbrianbecker@gmail.com.
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