Click here to download the SOCIAL Factor White Paper
Click here to listen to the Audio Version
Introduction to the White Paper
Our world of work has changed beyond all expectations and there is no ‘going back’. The levels of complexity we now face with regards to the future of work, talent acquisition, employee wellbeing and modern-day leadership demands, all make for a challenging and ever-changing landscape to navigate, and our maps are outdated.
Of all the elements of leadership to reflect on and prioritise, I believe that how we manage, lead, develop, engage and inspire people to be the best version of themselves and become an invaluable asset to the business, is a priority second to none. Without the people to do the work, business cannot operate, flourish or thrive.
‘The SOCIAL Factor’ is a white paper that explores and brings to the surface the often-unconscious drivers of human behaviour and shares how knowledge of these drivers can help leaders to create environments for their people that build and sustain (amongst others) a sense of unshakable safety and trust, genuine empowerment, clear expectations, fairness and equity, a culture of reward and recognition and a tribal depth of connection that all significantly impact and drive better outcomes for all. These drivers have one thing underpinning them – the workings of our amazing brain (social cognitive neuroscience) and its key organising principle.
What drives our behaviour and influences our hierarchy of values is presented in the form of a model of core social needs, SOCIAL, an acronym for 6 domains of interpersonal experience that, when fulfilled, propel us forward with motivation and energy and when compromised or withdrawn, have us retreat into self-protection, risk-aversion and negativity.
‘It’s not enough to update our maps, the landscape has changed beyond recognition, so we need to lay new foundations, forge new pathways and redraw the maps of 21st Century Leadership’
Click here to download the SOCIAL Factor White Paper
Click here to listen to the Audio Version
What is Social Leadership?
There is no one definition of social leadership; it is in its infancy as a style or approach, but by its very name it encompasses leading for the good of all, for employees, for stakeholders and for society through forming, building and harnessing authentic, sustainable relationships.
‘Social leadership is leading for good and with a conscience. It’s taking a human lens to solve problems, make decisions, lead empathically and be responsible internally and externally’
Though a relatively new concept, there are and have been many social leaders through the ages, in business, sport, government, education and the military. They have though, been in the minority and with changing expectations comes a need to balance the analytical head-based approach with the emotionally intelligent heart-based nature of leadership.
An example of the rise of social leadership is The ‘100% Human at Work’ partnership between Virgin Unite and global non-profit The B Team who state that:-
Where once the highest-prized leadership competencies comprised strategy, analysis and execution, they are now being trumped by attributes such as humility, curiosity, resilience, generosity, kindness, collaboration, vulnerability and courage.
Resources
Hierarchy of SOCIAL Needs Self Assessment
When we know what’s causing us stress, what is lacking in our personal or professional life, we can start to take action and prioritise our needs. As leaders, when we know what we need we can be more present for our people and when we know what THEY need, we can lead them in ways that they want to be led. Register here to complete the self-assessment and discover what’s driving your behaviour at this point in time. You will receive the results of your hierarchy of needs, together with a description of each need.
Complete your Hierarchy of SOCIAL needs here
BrainSmart Social Leadership Academy
At BrainSmart we are proud to offer our Social Leadership Academy. This comprehensive and immersive professional development program has been designed to grow and develop managers and leaders for effective people leadership in this new world of work.
Using the foundations of social cognitive neuroscience and applying it to a business environment, we facilitate a deep awareness of self and others and develop those social leadership competencies required to thrive in the 21st Century.
The focus is on developing all 4 pillars of emotional intelligence, managing personal effectiveness, improving social connection and relationship building and leading effective change.