Straight-Line Leadership

1. Master Your Inner Stance for Straight-Line Results

The foundation of any individual seeking a result is his inner stance—the place he operates from.

Inner stance defined. Your inner stance is the mental posture you adopt to navigate life, influencing how you perceive yourself, others, and challenges. It's the operating position from which you function, dictating your actions, words, and overall experience. Mastering your inner stance is about consciously choosing and shifting these positions to achieve desired outcomes.

Wisdom and power. A straight-line leader possesses both wisdom and power regarding inner stances. Wisdom is the awareness of the inner stance you're currently operating from, while power is the ability to shift stances at will. This shift is a conscious choice, allowing you to adapt your approach to different situations.

Conscious vs. unconscious stances. Most people unconsciously assume their inner stances, mistaking them for inherent personality traits. However, by consciously choosing your stance, you gain freedom and the ability to re-choose when your current stance doesn't serve you. This involves dropping disempowering identities and adopting empowering ones.

2. Distinctions Break Circular and Zigzag Patterns

What’s needed is for the circle to be opened up and straightened out... for a new line to be drawn from where you are to where you want to be.

Escaping circularity. Many individuals find themselves trapped in circular patterns, repeating unworkable behaviors and hoping for different outcomes. This circular movement stems from being stuck in the past and trying to "improve" over past performance. The key to breaking free is to open up the circle and draw a new line from your current position to your desired future.

The power of distinctions. Distinctions are clear, graphic opposites that provide a clear grasping of new choices available to you. They are tools for escaping a circular existence, creating "Now I see!" moments that transform your understanding and way of being. These distinctions are not theories but practical tools for immediate access and quick results.

Three worlds of performance:

• Straight-line: High effectiveness
• Circular: Confusing activity with accomplishment
• Zigzag: Inconsistent success with frequent setbacks

3. Straight-Line Leaders Solve Problems and Empower Others

A straight-line person is someone who deals effectively with his own nonsense.

Dealing with nonsense. Straight-line leadership begins with effectively managing your own disempowering inner stances. It extends to assisting others in overcoming their "nonsense," defined as operating from a disempowered position. This involves being a role model for clarity, commitment, and adopting inner stances that facilitate progress.

Leading by example. Inspiration is more effective than correction. By demonstrating empowering inner stances, you encourage others to recognize and embrace their potential. This involves tough love and confrontation, challenging individuals to step into their greatness rather than settling for mediocrity.

Creating responsibility. Straight-line leaders create responsibility, both for themselves and others. This involves shifting from a blame-oriented mindset to one of ownership and accountability. By taking responsibility, you gain the power to influence and shape your circumstances.

4. Shift from Wanting to Creating Through Decisive Action

Straight-line individuals immediately shift from wanting to creating.

The trap of wanting. Persistently wanting something can be energy-draining and disempowering, reinforcing your identity as someone who lacks what they desire. This continuous wishing and hoping replaces a relaxed, focused mind with a worried one, hindering your ability to take effective action.

From wanting to creating. The key is to shift from a state of wanting to a state of creating. This involves taking decisive action and focusing on the necessary required actions to achieve your goals. It's about moving from a passive mindset of wishing and hoping to an active mindset of making things happen.

Caring so much that you don't care. Straight-line individuals care so much about achieving their desired results that they don't care about the judgments of others. This allows them to take bold actions, say what needs to be said, and ask for what they want, unburdened by the fear of disapproval. This doesn't mean being disrespectful, but rather prioritizing direct, honest communication.

5. Stop Stopping: Persist Until Your Outcome Is Realized

When you practice the act of stopping your stopping you will leave your zigzag life behind.

The habit of stopping. Many people start projects with enthusiasm but quickly get discouraged and distracted, ultimately abandoning their goals. This start-and-stop pattern, characteristic of a zigzag life, prevents consistent progress and leads to feelings of discouragement. The key is to break this cycle by consciously choosing to "stop stopping."

A five-step formula for success:

1. Decide what you intend to accomplish.
2. Define the necessary actions.
3. Decide if you're willing to pay the price.
4. Monitor results and make corrections.
5. Continue taking action and DO NOT STOP.

Persistence and awareness. Staying on the straight line requires a commitment to high-level awareness. This involves being fully present to your actions and their effectiveness in moving you toward your goals. By consciously choosing to persist, even in the face of challenges, you can overcome the habit of stopping and achieve your desired outcomes.

6. Embrace Responsibility and Ditch the Blame Game

If it’s “their fault” then you have no power.

Responsibility vs. blame. Blaming others or yourself drains your power and prevents you from taking effective action. A straight-line leader creates responsibility, recognizing that it's the only way to influence and shape your circumstances. This involves shifting from a victim mentality to an ownership mindset.

Creating responsibility. Taking responsibility doesn't mean accepting blame for things that aren't your fault. It means acknowledging your ability to respond and influence the situation, regardless of who is at fault. This empowers you to take control and create positive change.

Explanations vs. action. Explanations justify behavior but offer no access to alter behavior. Shifting your inner stance, from blame to responsibility, will. Inspiration is fleeting, but a consciously chosen inner stance provides a foundation for consistent action and lasting results.

7. Choose Growth Over Safety to Transform Your Life

There is no standing still in life.

Growth vs. safety. In life, there is no neutral position; you are either growing or contracting. When faced with a choice, ask yourself which option will promote growth and which will simply maintain safety. Growth choices may be uncomfortable, but they ultimately empower you, regardless of the outcome.

The comfort zone trap. People often prioritize safety and comfort, avoiding risks and challenges. However, this approach limits their potential and prevents them from experiencing true fulfillment. The key is to consciously choose growth, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain.

Boldness and respect. Being bold and growing doesn't mean being disrespectful or inconsiderate. In fact, people often respect those who are willing to take risks and push boundaries. By prioritizing growth, you inspire others and create opportunities for mutual success.

8. From Problems to Decisions: Act with Integrity

You simply have a decision to make.

Problems vs. decisions. Many times, what appears to be a problem is simply a decision waiting to be made. A problem involves a deviation from normal, an unknown cause, and a choice to take action. However, if you know the cause and the remedy, you simply have a decision to make.

Decisive action. The willingness and ability to consciously choose and act decisively is real power. It's a complete demonstration of integrity, which is the linchpin that provides access to performance. This involves saying what you're going to do and then doing it.

The paralysis of analysis. Many people are paralyzed by both problems and having to make decisions, thinking and talking about them endlessly without taking action. The key is to shift from analysis to action, consciously creating and living your inner stances through decisive action.

9. Commitment: A Stance, Not a Feeling

Commitment = A created stance in which you know what you will do (or not do) regardless of what happens or what doesn’t happen.

Commitment defined. Commitment is not a feeling or a desire; it's a created stance, a declaration of what you will do regardless of circumstances. It's a promise to do what's required to achieve your desired results, fueled by intention and focused will.

Commitment vs. trying. Trying is a victim concept, implying a lack of certainty and control. Commitment, on the other hand, means "count on it," a firm declaration of intent that alters behavior and drives action. It's about doing what's required, not just what you know or feel like doing.

The all-or-nothing nature of commitment. Commitment is not a matter of degree; it's an all-or-nothing proposition. Being 90% committed is the same as not being committed at all, as the remaining 10% provides fertile ground for excuses and non-performance. True commitment requires a complete dedication to your goal.

10. Create, Don't React: Language Shapes Reality

In a sense, Hannibal created the world he lived in.

Created vs. reported-on world. Some people venture into the world and report on their results, attributing their success or failure to external circumstances. Others, like Hannibal, create the world they need to achieve their goals, refusing to be limited by circumstance.

Generative language. Straight-line individuals use language to create what they want, moving themselves and others into productive action. Their language creates an invented future and declares the necessary action. In contrast, others use language to describe the past, without creating a new future.

The power of intention. A straight-line individual has a deep understanding of what it is to make a commitment. Their definition of commitment is crystal clear: A created stance in which you know what you will do (or not do) regardless of what happens or what doesn’t happen.

11. Extreme Self-Care: The Foundation for Serving Others

Buddha said you’ve got to take care of yourself before you take care of other people.

Selfishness vs. self-care. Selfishness is small-minded and greedy, while self-care is wise and benefits every life you touch. Extreme self-care supports your well-being, allowing you to contribute more effectively to others. It's not self-absorbed but rather a foundation for generosity and service.

The oxygen mask principle. Just as you put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others on an airplane, you must prioritize your own well-being before attempting to care for others. This ensures that you have the energy, resources, and mental clarity to be truly effective.

Rohini's transformation. Rohini's story illustrates the transformative power of extreme self-care. By prioritizing her own well-being, she not only improved her own life but also revitalized her marriage and empowered her to serve other women. This demonstrates that taking care of yourself is not selfish but rather a prerequisite for making a meaningful contribution to the world.

Last updated: March 28, 2025