A take-away from the IMD International Alumni reunion on 1-2 October 2021 in Lausanne. First posted 5 October 2021 on the IMD intranet.

Alyson Meister’s “Above the line” and “Below the line” concept is simple and elegant yet useful: When you feel above the water line, you maybe stressed, but you remain open, curious, in control and feel responsive and confident. When you’re under the line, you get tired quickly, are exhausted, get judgemental (I can relate to that one) and start to “dehumanize the other”. 

Just asking yourself the question Am I above or under the line? is a an effective tool to assess how fit I am to manage the stress, and just reflecting. Or, have your kids ask you the question, like Alyson’s young daughter spontaneously did when Alyson was shouting at her for not having brushed her teeth: “Mom, are you right now above or below the line?”

Credits

Alyson Meister is Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior at IMD Lausanne.