Some people grow through pressure. Others spend their careers blaming everyone else for where they’re stuck.

In this episode, Heather breaks down the “above the line vs below the line” framework, the quickest way to see who on your team is genuinely growing and who is stuck in blame, excuses, and denial.

In this episode:

• The “above the line vs below the line” framework and how to use it as a litmus test
• Why blame feels so natural and why leaders can’t afford it
• The difference between a reason and an excuse (this one matters)
• Why your disengaged team might actually be a one-person problem
• How to use questions to pass accountability back without creating conflict

Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle?

Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous.

New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM

Listen & follow:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033uKbjXmIrXKCb0EuzXXg?si=58205f3097864d97

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boardroom/id1896894691

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/628ce2c6-d282-45ef-80c9-c1132f67a57f/the-boardroom

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@leadershipheather?si=JB0X24-cDem23SKd

Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast

And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome