Connect. Elevate. Expand. © Growth Model: A Framework for Transformational Growth
Connect. Elevate. Expand. © Growth Model: A Framework for Transformational Growth
Donyale Grisson | 2021
Abstract
Today’s business leaders face tremendous pressure to increase performance and promote growth. Inextricably linked to an organization’s success is its ability to adapt and innovate. No matter where you find yourself on this leadership journey, now is the time to create transformational change. Uncertain times and evolving demands often evoke fear. How do we keep moving forward when fear or uncertainty feels paralyzing? How do we rally the troops and encourage them to keep being and giving their best? How do we create environments where innovation happens? I believe the answer is a perspective shift. In pursuit of growth, we often overlook, minimize, or entirely omit time for reflection, learning, and change. Facing new challenges, growing, and flourishing amid uncertainty and ambiguity requires a new way of seeing, thinking, and being.
For this purpose, I offer a simple tool called the CEE© Growth Model. It provides a framework for growth–discovering, designing, and delivering change that develops the human element of strategy. The CEE© Growth Model empowers current, emerging, and aspiring leaders to develop leadership effectiveness. This model aims to invoke increased self-awareness, growth-minded thinking, collaborative conversations, purpose-driven decision-making, and progressive development. Introduced in the subsequent pages, I provide a visual representation and application of the growth journey. The purpose of this dynamic 3-step process is to help you move from where you are to where you want to be:
- Connect
- Elevate
- Expand
This framework will help leaders connect to vision, elevate their mindsets, and expand their capacity to influence transformation on their leadership journey. First, this primer explores growth, including its common inhibitors, the role of strategy and culture, and leadership. Second, I review the foundational elements–emotional intelligence and design thinking–that support the CEE© Growth Model, emotional intelligence, and design thinking. Third, I share the model’s components and explain the expected outcomes. Finally, the last section includes prototype testing and results.