Four Questions Conscious Leaders Ask
What is Unconscious Leadership?
Unconscious leaders operate in a distorted reality shaped by past experiences, beliefs, and biases. They react to mental models of the world rather than responding to the actual moment, leading to repeated ineffective patterns. This often results in stress, self-criticism, and burnout.
What is Conscious Leadership?
Conscious leaders stay present, aware, and free from old patterns, enabling them to respond effectively to what the moment requires. This approach fosters creativity, collaboration, and healthier organizational cultures, giving conscious leaders a competitive advantage.
The Four Questions of Conscious Leadership
1. Where am I now—above or below the line?
This question helps leaders locate their state:
Below the Line: Reactive, defensive, and driven by ego-threats, shutting off creativity and connection.
Above the Line: Open, curious, and responsive to the moment.
By pausing, breathing, and asking this question, leaders develop self-awareness—the first step toward transformation.
2. Can I accept myself for where I am?
Awareness without acceptance leads to judgment and self-criticism, driving us further below the line.
Acceptance shifts us into a state of safety and security, reducing reactivity and opening us to respond effectively.
To cultivate acceptance, take slow, deep breaths and move your body to release tension.
Acceptance is the antidote to fear—what we accept, we no longer fear.
3. Am I willing to shift?
Willingness to shift is often challenging. We may want to change but resist stepping out of our comfort zones.
Frequently, the answer is “No,” and that’s okay. Owning your “No” builds responsibility and liberates you from blaming external factors.
Responsibility is the foundation of true change, as it focuses on what you can control: your inner state and response.
4. How will I shift?
The “how” often reveals itself once we’re willing to change. While many techniques exist, one of the most powerful is asking wonder questions—open-ended inquiries that invite curiosity and new perspectives.
Examples of Wonder Questions:
What can I learn from this?
What is another way to view this?
What can I appreciate about this situation?
How is this in support of my growth?
What do I want—what do I really want?
The Path to Transformation
By asking these four questions consistently, leaders gain awareness and acceptance—the foundation for any transformation in consciousness. Over time, this practice enables conscious responses that lead to better outcomes for individuals and organizations alike.
*This model comes from the book, “The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership,” which is also the basis for our coaching program. We highly recommend reading the book, but we know that reading a book doesn’t usually spark dramatic change, which is why we created our conscious leadership course. Our course takes the concepts and practices from the book and helps you implement them into your daily life through support, guidance, and coaching. We want conscious leadership to stick so that more people can lead more productive and happy lives and create environments for others to do the same.
