Fear Stops Change and Growth.
We can incentivize and expect and inspire and blame and punish and be impatient all we want but when the human brain is in threat response, no one is going anywhere until it feels safe.
Threats to SCARF Trigger Fear.
David Rock’s SCARF model tells us that when we humans detect a threat to our perceived degree of:
- Status (good or bad; winning or losing)
- Certainty (knowing what to expect)
- Autonomy (freedom of choice/movement, independence)
- Relatedness (part of a desirable/comfortable group)
- Fairness (being treated with honesty and equity)
The human brain goes into threat response which shuts down the parts of our brain associated with learning, imagining and planning and redirects the brain’s resources to the parts associated with fighting, defending, withdrawing and resisting.
Any Potential Change is a Threat to SCARF
- Informing people they need to work at home threatens Certainty, and Autonomy.
- Advising people to wear a mask threatens Autonomy and Fairness
- Telling people they are complicit in systemic racism threatens Status and Relatedness
- Being fired, losing one’s retirement, taking a pay cut, getting Covid – each threaten Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness and Fairness
- Imploring people to #dobetter and #bebetter threatens Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness and Fairness
- Asking for time and patience to investigate #whiteprivilege threatens Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness and Fairness
If We’re in a Constant State of Fear How Do We Change and Grow?
Unlike any other time in history, every single one of us is experiencing major simultaneous disruption and change. Neuropsychologically, therefore, every single one of us is simultaneously in threat response.
When we are in threat response the parts of our brain associated with learning, imagining and planning (our literal ability to take in new information and to learn to do and be better) are shut down. In order to move forward – to change and to grow; to #dobetter and #bebetter – a brain-based approach will dissolve the blocks and help us fast track critical progress. Here’s how:
- Calm the threat response by using the Energy Drainer Exercise
- Decide what you truly want to achieve by Setting Your Objective
- Seek to fully understand by using the The Power of Inquiry
- Access support and resources for what you want to achieve by using personal and professional development guidance like UPschool
With decades of experience in human resources, management and leadership development and employee motivation and engagement, using this method, I know what this approach can produce. Reliably and measurably. This practical, brain-based, human-centered, disciplined and efficient path gets results.
You Don’t Have to Go It Alone
Whether you envision a successful transition to working at home, a measurable positive difference in employee engagement, a transformation to a new business model, demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and racial equity or something just as big and important, until you address the perceived threat, there will be no growth.
I created UPschool for people who want to be the best version of themselves and who want to help others do the same – whether as HR professionals, managers, parents, educators or in other roles where you are driven to make a difference.