Transcript - Gayle Hardie

Gayle Hardie (05:55.3)

So I’m Gayle Hardie, co-founder of Global Leadership Foundation, and we, Malcolm, my business partner and co-founder, and I set Global up in 2003. So we’re 21 years old, and our reason for being was to raise the emotional health levels of people on the planet. As we’ll talk about today, our focus is that if we can just get people to be above the line, in our language, the world would be a different place. Ideally, from our perspective, the work we do is focused on supporting people to think about themselves and their impact and understand that every one of us has an impact. Sometimes we forget to consider it, and when we don’t, we don’t understand the results of our actions. Our work is really to support particular leaders to think about their own emotional health and how that then influences the way the whole world can work.

Jess (07:08.752)

I love that. And you’ve got a beautiful frame around leadership. Would you mind sharing what that is?

Gayle Hardie (07:14.882)

We have a picture that anyone who follows anybody else is following a leader. We see parents as leaders, even though sometimes it’s hard to lead your own children. The sense we have is that when people are observing you, even from afar, you are leading by example. We see everyone as a leader; we don’t distinguish between title or role and the way you show up.

Jess (07:57.908)

That’s beautiful because it gives a sense of internal motivation—you understand that you have an impact, even if it feels small. It does matter. So would you like to describe what emotional health is, or what above the line and below the line mean? Where’s the best place to start?

Gayle Hardie (08:07.826)

It all fits together. Above and below the line is a good start because it’s reasonably simple to understand, and emotional health is literally an extension of that. When we’re feeling great and the world is working well, we’re in a very different place compared to when it’s not. For example, if someone breaks in front of you while driving, you might react—hand on the horn, swearing, whatever it is. That situation causes reactive behavior without thinking. All of those are reactions. Above the line, there is thinking. Situation plus thinking equals a response.

Gayle Hardie (10:16.438)

Above the line, we respond, sometimes analyzing the situation to determine the best move. Below the line, there’s no analysis and no best move. Magic quarter of a second—our ability to stop and make a choice.

Gayle Hardie (10:45.69)

Being above the line is about making choices. It’s not easy, and it’s not about being Pollyanna. We’re human, and we need to know what it feels like to be reactive because it often helps us change. Emotional health is a state of enhanced well-being—physically, emotionally, mentally—and allows us to make conscious choices. We have mindful practices to keep us above the line and maintain respectful relationships, being conscious of our impact. The inner observer allows us to see what we’re saying and doing and its effect on others. Emotionally healthy leaders are conscious of what drives and motivates them, and they adjust impact when needed.

Jess (12:39.438)

I find this helpful because I still need to work on staying above the line. I was definitely not emotionally healthy when I started my business. No amount of knowledge helped because I lacked the emotional bandwidth. Now I understand we must work on emotional health first, then stack frameworks on top.

Gayle Hardie (13:37.548)

Exactly, Jess. We can’t move up emotional health levels by just reading about it. Practice is key. Recognizing when we’re below or above the line, knowing what to do with triggers, allows us to make better choices. It’s about being conscious of our reactions and choosing how to respond.

Gayle Hardie (14:36.302)

Once we’re conscious, we can make a call. Sometimes there will be a hill to die on, but with thinking and respect for the other person. You can be clear and firm while factoring in others’ feelings, assumptions, and circumstances.

Jess (15:37.154)

I love your concept of self-centeredness. Sometimes we step into self-centeredness, but it doesn’t mean we’re self-centered people. It’s a behavior when below the line, and we can choose to pull ourselves back up.

Gayle Hardie (16:06.786)

Correct. Below the line, automated responses occur. Recognizing these layers allows us to choose differently.

Jess (16:46.337)

Could you show your frame around the head, heart, and gut and how those interplay?

Gayle Hardie (16:58.058)

We have three centers of intelligence: body (instinctual, gut), heart (connection, attention, validation, intuition), and head (thinking). The gut gives instinctual feelings; the heart is about connection; the head processes and gives insight. Emotional health integrates all three centers. Average health often has only two running, which can lead to imbalance. Practices like meditation, walking, yoga, or music help integrate these centers.

Jess (21:41.132)

If your leading center is the head, you can override gut instincts. Awareness of all centers allows conscious choices.

Gayle Hardie (22:16.224)

Yes. Asking what your gut, heart, and head tell you gives a fuller perspective.

Jess (22:40.396)

Pausing and slowing down is necessary, even if it’s hard.

Gayle Hardie (22:50.177)

Some trust their gut implicitly and neglect thinking. Planning ensures balance and effectiveness, especially in organizations.

Jess (23:52.75)

Do emotionally healthy organizations balance people predisposed to each center?

Gayle Hardie (24:07.446)

Our focus is on emotionally healthy people. Personality type is secondary. Emotional health enhances skill use and reduces ego, focusing on the greater good while maintaining self-awareness.

Jess (25:33.1)

Can you explain the Enneagram?

Gayle Hardie (25:38.6)

The three centers align with the Enneagram. Originally a decision-making tool, it became associated with personality. Nine types correspond to centers: body (autonomy), heart (attention and validation), and head (security). Adults may have multiple strong types; the goal is understanding what drives and motivates you, appreciating your impact, and integrating your personality gifts while managing challenges.

Gayle Hardie (31:24.236)

Below the line, behaviors can be unhelpful or harmful. Recognizing gifts from all types helps us act effectively.

Jess (32:54.638)

Awareness of all nine types helps you leverage different perspectives and make better decisions.

Gayle Hardie (34:08.002)

Profiling tools can be limiting, but the Enneagram provides possibility rather than restriction, allowing self-discovery.

Jess (35:21.874)

The Enneagram provides a snapshot of your current self, not a permanent label.

Gayle Hardie (35:49.462)

Self-discovery through reading, sorting cards, or online profiles is the best approach. Primary type influences behavior, but growth is possible.

Jess (37:17.25)

You can evolve and lean into other types. What changes have you seen in people?

Gayle Hardie (37:37.698)

A sense of wholeness emerges. Emotionally healthy people reflect, troubleshoot, see forward, engage others, and collaborate.

Jess (38:55.468)

What practices support emotional health and self-regulation?

Gayle Hardie (39:07.458)

Reflection, journaling, physical practice like walking, yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises help integrate mind, body, and heart. Six-count breathing balances the autonomic nervous system. Limiting distractions allows space for development.

Jess (41:25.794)

Journaling can be stream-of-consciousness, anchored with reflective questions.

Gayle Hardie (41:54.314)

Asking the three centers questions—what does your gut, heart, and head tell you—is useful. Questions should be specific, such as “What made you smile last week?” to inform self-awareness.

Jess (43:20.934)

This practice threads into daily awareness, influencing conscious thought and behavior.

Gayle Hardie (43:59.074)

Heart-centered questions: “What brings you joy?” or “Where do you feel most at home?” These questions integrate mind, heart, and body.

Jess (45:00.972)

Could you discuss energy, quantum fields, and related concepts?

Gayle Hardie (45:12.61)

Observer-created reality: noticing something makes it appear more. The field contains everything; attention amplifies perception. Our thinking and world grow with possibilities. Repeated events signal patterns to observe. Aligning three centers allows energy flow and co-creation.

Jess (49:38.39)

Are these practices the same for opening to possibilities?

Gayle Hardie (49:53.01)

Yes, similar practices apply: integrating centers, mindfulness, journaling, reflection, and physical practices help expand perception and possibilities.