The SCARF Model
It is so easy to get people wrong – to create division and friction. But you can avoid these pitfalls easily enough following the SCARF model by David Rock, explained in this short video by leadership expert and writer Neil Jurd OBE.
This video will provide you with the information to create a safe environment within your teams and organisations.
With Neil Jurd OBE
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What's this video about?
Neil Jurd begins this talk by introducing the SCARF model, developed by neuroscientist David Rock. He explains the importance of understanding human behaviour and social dynamics, particularly within leadership contexts. He discusses human evolution, and how we have evolved to be threat-conscious, linking this to relationships in the modern day. Neil explains that effective leaders will be in a ‘Towards’ state in the model, avoiding the negative behaviours that push people ‘Away’.
Neil explains the acronym SCARF:
Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness.
He highlights the significance of taking status out of the relationship and creating an environment of equality and mutual respect. Certainty covers the important topic of providing clarity and preventing people from experiencing anxiety from changes and poor communication. Autonomy encourages leaders to give team members freedom, providing them with a sense of control and preventing that undesired ‘Away’ state.
Explaining relatedness, Neil stresses the fundamental importance of spending time building strong and positive relationships and fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and understood. Finally, he discusses fairness, emphasising the importance of creating a work environment free of favouritism and discrimination. This eliminates that evolutionary sense of being threatened by other members of the team.
Neil encourages you to consider how you may apply the SCARF model in your leadership style. Finally, he hopes that you found the model useful in presenting ideas that help to create a safe and inclusive environment which fosters team development and individual growth amongst members.
