My first interview at The Corner Room generated a lot of discussion, but ending up centering on two main concepts: The Iron Triangle and SCARF.
Scarf is a ‘brain-based model for collaborating with and influencing others’ based on social neuroscience research. Since my leadership centers around building a collaborative creative community, my first interviewee suggested it. I’m glad he did.
The model is based on the simple concept that most social behavior is either trying to minimize threats or maximize reward. When the brain comes across any stimuli it categorizes it as a threat (avoid) or something good (approach). Beyond the good or bad, social behaviors are then categorized into five social dimensions: Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness—hence SCARF. Why these five, I guess they ping the same parts of the brain as primary survival needs (food, water). When people perceive a threat to their ‘Status’ the same parts of the brain are activated as when a person receives a threat to one’s life. On the flip side, increases in autonomy can be perceived as an equal reward as a pay raise.
This ties into emotional intelligence. If someone is perceiving an action as a threat to their status they will naturally be flooded with emotions akin to having their own life threatened. Understandably, anyone feeling the effect of that flood will have a hard time listening, thinking, and working. If I want to create a collaborative community, I’ll have to understand how to navigate those situations.
Reading through the model is very insightful as it illustrates behaviors that can be perceived as a threat or reward for each domain. With that info, I’m able to assess my own actions better and make sure that I avoid inadvertently setting off a threat response.
Alisha says
I hadn’t heard of this model before, but I read about it a little after seeing your post. I like the connection that you drew between it and emotional intelligence. I was also think about how closely the certainty aspect of the model fits in with the PSEL session we did on leading change.
Courtney S Robinson says
Sorry it took so long to get back to your response! I completely agree. Beyond certainty, the change could also affect an individual’s status and autonomy too which could lead to an ‘avoidance’ response and an unsuccessful change. In all, SCARF is something I plan on looking into some more.