OARBED: Mindset above the line!

Have you ever heard of the saying 'living above the line'?

It's a popular phrase that emphasises having a positive mindset and taking ownership of our actions and thoughts.

Creating the mindset to build a strong team culture!

Recently, I came across a fascinating mindset tool called OARBED, which stands for Ownership, Accountability, Responsibility, Blame, Excuse, and Denial.

This tool has proven to be incredibly useful for me, especially during times when things don't quite go as planned at work. It serves as a constant reminder to assess my actions and reactions, taking responsibility for my part and avoiding the trap of blame or making excuses. OARBED has become a guiding principle in maintaining a proactive and constructive mindset, enabling me to navigate challenges and setbacks more effectively.

Putting it into practice can make a noticeable difference in both individual performance and team dynamics.

• The acronym starts with OAR: Ownership, Accountability and Responsibility. These are the above the line behaviours.

• Then below the line you have BED: Blame, Excuse and Denial.

In the office, BED behaviour could look like this: Someone misses a deadline and they blame the internet going down, make an excuse about not having the necessary information, or deny the project was their responsibility in the first place.

These behaviours can result in a culture of fear, covering up, lack of learning all of which can hurt team performance and morale.

On the other hand, taking ownership, accountability and responsibility promotes a culture of learning and improvement. Solutions are found faster, individuals feel more supported and are more likely to learn from their mistakes.

Thinking below the line and acting below the line are not the same. It’s human nature to dip below the line in our minds, but it’s how we act that matters.

So, whenever faced with unexpected obstacles or setbacks, I find solace in the wisdom of 'living above the line' and utilising the OARBED mindset tool for a more empowered and resilient work experience.