The Dermot Buffini Methodology
Above The Line
Strengths. Vision. Strategy. Culture. Long-term thinking.
Below The Line
Operations. Distractions. Noise.
The Question
Where are you operating right now?
Most leaders don't know. They're too busy to notice. The first step to leading better is simply knowing where you are.
Where are you?
Two States. One Choice.
Every leader lives in one of two places.
Above The Line
Ownership. Accountability. Responsibility.
This is the state of intentional leadership. When you are above the line, you are operating from your strengths, working toward a vision you believe in, and taking full ownership of your outcomes — regardless of circumstances.
Above-the-line leaders don't blame the market, their team, or their competition. They ask: "What can I do? What is in my control? What is the next right move?"
Below The Line
Blame. Excuses. Denial.
Below-the-line leadership is reactive. It's the state most leaders default to under pressure — blaming external forces, making excuses for poor results, or denying that a problem exists at all.
It is not a character flaw. It is a habit — and habits can be changed. But only once you can see them clearly.
Above The Line
Below The Line
Ownership
Blame
Accountability
Excuses
Responsibility
Denial
Proactive
Reactive
Strength-led
Fear-led
Long-term vision
Short-term noise
How to Stay There
The Seven Rituals of Above The Line Leadership
Knowing the framework is the beginning. These are the habits that keep high-performing leaders operating above the line — consistently, not occasionally.
Know Your Strengths
High-performing leaders operate from their natural genius — not from a job description. Knowing your top strengths is the first act of operating above the line.
Set a Vision You Are Excited to Pursue
Not a BHAG. Not a five-year plan. A vision you actually believe in and feel pulled toward. Clarity of vision is the engine of above-the-line leadership.
Work a Real, Accountable Plan
Vision without execution is fantasy. Above-the-line leaders work a plan — weekly, monthly, quarterly — with real accountability built in, not bolted on.
Protect Your Energy
Your energy is your most finite resource. Above-the-line leaders ruthlessly protect it — through sleep, movement, boundaries, and saying no to the wrong things.
Build a Community That Lifts You
You cannot stay above the line alone. The people around you either pull you up or drag you down. Invest in relationships that challenge and elevate you.
Audit Your Operating Level Weekly
Where are you actually spending your time? A weekly review of your calendar against your strengths and goals is the most powerful leadership habit you can build.
Lead With Character First
Skills can be learned. Character is built. Above-the-line leaders are defined by how they show up when things are hard — with ownership, not blame.
The Spectrum
Where are you operating right now?
Drag the line up or down to explore the spectrum.
Ownership
Taking full responsibility for outcomes, no matter the circumstances.
Accountability
Honouring your commitments to yourself and others, consistently.
Responsibility
Choosing your response — not reacting from fear or habit.
Why This Framework Exists
26 years. One consistent truth.
I spent 26 years inside one of the world's largest coaching organisations, watching what happens when leaders get clarity — and what happens when they don't.
The difference between a CEO who thrives and one who just survives is not intelligence, or market conditions, or luck. It is self-knowledge. It is operating from your strengths, not your fears. It is having a plan you're actually excited to work.
That is what Above The Line means. And The Chieftains is the community I am building for leaders who want to live and lead that way.
"I am Irish. I am relational. I am direct. I am not your guru."
Free Assessment
Find out where you're operating.
Free. 4 minutes. Personalised result. Know your Above The Line score before you do anything else.
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What Leaders Say
The framework in practice.
"The Above The Line framework is deceptively simple. I thought I understood it in five minutes. Six months later I'm still finding new ways it applies to how I lead."
CEO
Tech Company
"I used to think I was operating above the line most of the time. Dermot's assessment showed me I was below it 60% of my week. That was a hard truth — and the most valuable one I've ever received."
Managing Director
International Corporation
"What I love about this framework is that it's not about being perfect. It's about noticing where you are and making a choice. That's something I can actually do."
Founder
$45M Revenue Business
Go Deeper
The Chieftains
An invitation-only gathering of 30 serious leaders. Dublin. October 2026.
The Curious CEO
Weekly conversations with CEOs who lead above the line. 115,000+ subscribers.
Work With Dermot
1:1 coaching, keynotes, and corporate programmes for leaders who are serious.