A Core Leadership Practice | Our latest research on adaptability

As part of our research portfolio, RP Global has recently developed a new framework entitled SHIFT which supports leaders with practical tools to enhance their strategic thinking and adapt their mindset when facing complex challenges. Focusing on adaptability, the SHIFT framework is influenced by systems-thinking, transformational coaching perspectives on the value of purpose, and Paul Maclean’s neuroscientific theory of the Triune Brain.

This research will give you new insights which go beyond Emotional Intelligence to uncover a primal mode of communication through the limbic brain, which predates language and is the root through which people bond, connect and “have a sense” about something. This primal mode of communication outweighs the spoken word and is critical in all facets of communication and leadership. Developing your leadership maturity improves your impact by up to 8 to 10 times and the ability to access your whole self, whilst using intentional thinking techniques, unlocks an innate mindset to adapt in the most successful and impactful way possible.

We have implemented this research and framework with outstanding results in our latest leadership program, equipping FTSE 100 company leaders to successfully adapt and thrive in a challenging commercial climate. When operating in a pace-driven environment has become more important then ever, the SHIFT model enables leaders to walk away knowing how to build an adaptive mindset and innovative thinking to manage complex challenges. It also supports leaders in developing the ability to access new levels of personal purpose and energy in their teams, and a deeper knowledge of how they can blend cognition, emotional intelligence and physical presence to become the leaders of tomorrow.

SHIFT stands for:

• Systems-thinking - SHIFT seeks to help leaders develop from a simple cause and effect perspective to uncover the web of interconnected variables and dependencies behind many of their challenges.

• Helpful approach - SHIFT is designed to help leaders draw motivation from their purpose and identify the unique way they can be helpful.

• Intuition - SHIFT seeks to enable leaders to embrace a sense of self beyond cognition, connecting them with the reptilian (intuition), mammalian (feeling) and neocortex (thinking) elements of their brain.

• Feeling – SHIFT enables leaders to connect with their feelings.

• Thinking – SHIFT encourages leaders to embrace multiple thinking perspectives.

When does it work best?

The SHIFT framework is a useful tool for leaders when the challenges they face are systemic and traditional analytical thinking approaches prove insufficient. It motivates leaders, enabling them to connect with their purpose and the unique way they can be helpful and have an impact. It can also support leaders move beyond a narrow cognitive perspective to a more holistic approach, connecting them with how they are personally experiencing a situation, i.e. what their head, heart and gut are telling them.

Published

The SHIFT framework will be published in April 2021 as part of Professor Jonathan Passmore’s new book Coaching Tools.