……When we take a step back from the busyness of our days and look at leadership, it always starts and ends with us. We’re right in the center of the spokes on the leadership wheel, and when we give ourselves what we need first, we’re better equipped to support others.
……We bring our entire lives — our whole selves — to the workplace. The circumstances inform how we manage risk, balance swift action with careful consideration and weigh the long-term implications of our choices. It’s also through this wisdom that we build stronger teams, organizational foundations and nurture the next generation of top talent.
……SWAN begins this complex process through our application of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: survival, security, belonging, importance and self-actualization.
……Let’s look at the practicality of SWAN’s “Seven S’s of Successful Leaders” in our daily interactions with ourselves and those we serve. These “Seven S’s” support us in knowing our true selves and where we currently are on the spectrum of needs, helping us differentiate between reaction and response.
……Using the lens of the “Seven S’s,” we can create a participatory leadership style, opening space for multiple perspectives and voices. We can pause and identify our highest priorities to make the best decision for ourselves and those around us.
Defining Self: Factors such as personal experiences, upbringing, education and cultural background shape the self. In an organizational setting, we may identify with various roles or positions, such as job title, department or team.
……The concept of self in organizations is important because it can influence various outcomes, such as job satisfaction, motivation and performance. Organizations can support the development of the self through leadership development, mentoring and coaching. By providing opportunities to reflect on strengths, weaknesses and goals, organizations help employees develop a more nuanced understanding of their identity and potential while honing emotional intelligence.
Defining Choice: Choice is the ability and freedom to make decisions and take actions based on one’s values, preferences and goals. In the context of organizations, choice is the ability of individuals or groups to make decisions and take actions that influence direction and outcomes.
……Organizations are comprised of individuals with diverse perspectives, skills and goals, and the choices they make collectively shape the organization’s culture, strategy, performance and impact. Choice is closely linked to decision-making: evaluating different options and selecting the most appropriate course of action. Effective decision-making requires a clear understanding of an organization’s goals, values and priorities, and a willingness to consider multiple perspectives and collaborate with others.
Self-care: It’s essential in our careers. Taking care of ourselves first can help reduce stress and anxiety to improve overall mental health, leading to a more positive outlook, an increase in productivity and better decision making. Engaging in self-care like exercise, healthy eating and getting enough sleep increases energy and focus at work. When we strike a better work-life balance, we reduce the risk of burnout, increase job satisfaction and make way for our work to have a greater impact. We also reduce the risk of illness and injury. Investing in ourselves improves our personal relationships and leads to better communication and collaboration in the workplace.
……Our sense of self is linked to the choices we make and the actions we take. Our choices define who we are, shape our experiences and determine the course of our lives. At the same time, our sense of self influences our choices by providing a framework of values, beliefs and desires that guide our decisions.
……When we make choices, we express our autonomy and agency as individuals. Our choices reflect our preferences, priorities and goals. Our beliefs, values and experiences shape our worldviews and inform our decisions, often unconsciously. The relationship between self and choice is bidirectional and complex. Our choices reflect and shape our sense of self, and our sense of self influences our choices.
Defining Survival: It’s the basic human need to maintain physical and emotional well-being in the face of adversity or difficult circumstances. At its core, survival encompasses the fundamental human drives for safety, security and sustenance. We also face challenges related to emotional or psychological survival: trauma, stress or mental health.
……For organizations, survival is the ability of a business or entity to sustain itself and continue operating despite external challenges, such as competition, economic downturns or changes in the industry landscape. Survival for organizations involves a combination of strategic planning, financial stability and a focus on building a strong internal/external foundation.
Defining Challenges: These are difficult or demanding situations or obstacles we face in our personal or professional lives: physical or health-related, emotional, financial or related to work, relationships or personal development.
…..Challenges are opportunities for growth and learning, providing us with the chance to develop new skills, perspectives and ways of thinking. Overcoming challenges can also build resilience and strengthen our sense of self-efficacy and confidence.
……As they relate to organizations, challenges are obstacles to achieving goals or maintaining operations: changes in the market or industry landscape, increased competition, shifts in consumer preferences or internal factors, such as organizational culture or leadership. Challenges are an inherent part of the business landscape, and organizations that are able to effectively manage and overcome them can position themselves for long-term success and sustainability.
……Challenges are often necessary for survival as they can stimulate growth, adaptation and resilience. When faced with challenges, we often adapt and evolve to overcome them, ultimately increasing our chances of survival. We face a wide range of challenges, such as economic downturns, natural disasters and health crises. These challenges can be complex and even life threatening, but they also provide opportunities.
Defining Safety: As individuals, safety refers to the state of being free from harm, danger or risk of injury or illness. Safety can apply to physical, emotional and psychological well-being. It’s essential for promoting a sense of security and well-being and necessary for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life.
……Safety in organizations is essential for protecting the well-being of employees, customers and other stakeholders, and for ensuring that the organization operates responsibly and ethically. It is also critical for maintaining trust and credibility with customers and the community at large.
Defining Priorities: Priorities are the things we consider most important and meaningful in our lives, and that we choose to focus our time, energy and resources on. Priorities can be different for each person and vary depending on our goals, values and circumstances. Having clear priorities requires a level of self-awareness and introspection, as well as the ability to make conscious choices and set boundaries around our time and energy.
……Priorities in organizations are essential for ensuring that the organization remains focused, aligned and effective in achieving its mission and vision. They require ongoing assessment, evaluation and adjustment to ensure the organization remains responsive to changing circumstances and able to meet the evolving needs of stakeholders.
……Safety and priorities are intertwined. Our priorities can influence the importance of safety in various aspects of our lives, and safety is a fundamental human value underlying many of our priorities.
Defining Security: Security is freedom from harm, danger or threats to well-being as well as the ability to protect ourselves and our resources. Individual security takes many forms depending on individual circumstances and needs. Individual security is essential for physical, emotional and financial well-being, as well as pursuing personal goals. It’s also important for maintaining healthy relationships and a sense of community.
……For organizations, security is the protection of people, assets and information from harm, loss or unauthorized access. It’s the implementation of measures, policies and procedures that mitigate risks to ensure the safety and continuity of operations. Security requires ongoing attention and investment. It involves a range of stakeholders and requires a coordinated approach that balances the need for protection with the need for accessibility, flexibility and innovation.
Defining Power: Power is the ability to influence others, make decisions or achieve desired outcomes. It is the capacity to exercise control or authority over oneself, others or the environment, and it’s based on a variety of factors: social status, wealth, knowledge, skills or personal charisma. Power is an important aspect of human behavior and social dynamics. It’s important to use power responsibly and ethically, and to recognize potential consequences.
……Organizational power may be used for positive or negative purposes, and may have both intended and unintended consequences. It might be used to achieve financial success, expand market share, improve efficiency and effectiveness, or promote social and environmental goals. It can have a significant impact on organizational performance, culture and values. It is important to use organizational power responsibly and ethically, and to recognize the potential consequences of its use on stakeholders and the broader society.
……Having power often provides a greater sense of security, while feeling secure can also contribute to a sense of power. When someone has personal power, they have greater control over their environment. This can lead to greater security, as they feel they have the resources and abilities to protect themselves and their interests. Feeling secure contributes to a sense of power, providing the stability and confidence to take risks and pursue goals.
……It’s important to note that the connection between security and power is only sometimes positive. When power is used to oppress or harm others, it can erode the sense of security for those targeted. Additionally, relying too heavily on power or security can create a sense of vulnerability when those sources of strength are threatened or taken away. Both security and power can have positive or negative effects depending on how they’re used and experienced.
Defining Support: Support for individuals means assistance, help or encouragement provided to help them cope with a difficult situation, achieve a goal or improve well-being. Support can come from a variety of sources: family, friends, colleagues, healthcare professionals or community organizations.
……Support plays a critical role in helping organizations achieve goals and objectives. It provides the resources, expertise and assistance necessary to overcome challenges, capitalize on opportunities and reach sustainable growth and success. By leveraging available support, organizations can build stronger, more resilient operations that are better equipped to navigate an ever-changing business landscape.
Defining Opportunity: Opportunity refers to a favorable set of circumstances or a chance to achieve a desired outcome. It may arise from personal strengths and abilities, education, experience, networking or chance encounters. Opportunities provide us with the potential to achieve personal goals, improve our financial situations, enhance skills or expand our networks of relationships, creating a more fulfilling and rewarding life.
……Opportunities provide organizations with the potential to achieve their strategic goals, improve their financial performance, enhance their competitive position and increase their market share. By recognizing and pursuing opportunities, organizations create sustainable growth and success, remaining competitive.
……Support and opportunity are interconnected. Support often provides the foundation for seizing opportunities and achieving success. In contrast, opportunities can create a need for support to navigate challenges and pursue new ventures. Access to support and opportunity can be vital to unlocking potential and achieving goals.
Defining Strategy: It’s a plan or approach adopted to achieve goals or objectives. It typically involves identifying the steps to take and the resources required to achieve a desired outcome. A personal strategy may involve setting specific goals, such as acquiring a new skill, finding a job or starting a business, and then developing a plan to achieve those goals. Having a strategy helps focus efforts, stay motivated and achieve progress.
……For organizations, strategy refers to the plan or approach that an organization adopts to achieve its goals and objectives. It involves identifying the organization’s mission, vision and values, and developing a roadmap to achieve them. A strategy typically involves analyzing the organization’s internal and external environment, identifying opportunities and threats and developing a plan to capitalize on the opportunities and mitigate the threats.
Defining Position: Related to an individual, position refers to how they view and approach situations, challenges and opportunities in life. Our inner state of consciousness or mindset, shaped by beliefs, values, thoughts and emotions, determines perspective and perception of reality. The concept of position is closely related to personal growth and development. It may involve changing limiting beliefs or adopting new perspectives to approach situations more constructively and effectively.
……In organizations, a position is a specific role or job title within the company’s structure. It typically includes a set of responsibilities, duties and authority. Positions can vary in their level of seniority, complexity and scope of responsibility, and they may be part of a formal hierarchy that reflects the organization’s overall structure. Positions are a fundamental aspect of organizational design and critical in ensuring goals are achieved effectively and efficiently.
……The connection between strategy and position is that an individual or organization’s position can influence their strategies to achieve its goals. At the same time, the strategies they employ impact their position in a market or industry. By understanding the connection between these two factors, individuals and organizations can develop effective strategies tailored to their unique strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats/risks.
Defining Service: Being in service means using our time, skills and resources to benefit others or a more significant cause.
……Service, as it relates to organizations, involves delivering products or services that meet the needs and expectations of customers or clients. Organizations can build customer loyalty and drive growth and success by providing adequate service.
Defining Purpose: Purpose is the underlying reason or motivation behind our actions, decisions and goals. A sense of direction and meaning helps us understand our place in the world. It’s a guiding light for how we can contribute to something larger than ourselves.
……As it relates to organizations, purpose involves identifying the underlying mission, values and goals that guide an organization’s decisions and actions. By having a clear sense of purpose, organizations can motivate employees, build brand identity and reputation, and contribute to the greater good (and its own sustainability and reputation).
……The connection between service and purpose is that engaging in service often provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. A sense of purpose motivates someone to seek service opportunities aligning with their values and goals. By recognizing this connection, we can find meaningful ways to contribute to our communities and positively impact the world around us.
……Through understanding SWAN’s “Seven S’s of Successful Leadership,” we can lean into our inner wisdom and build bridges of compassion, new levels of understanding for ourselves and others, and create thriving work environments having a real impact during turbulent times.
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