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Case Study

Understanding the impact of schemas, triggers and modes on your leadership

By Michael D. Watkins and Katia Vlachos

6 pages

August 2023

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Reference: IMD-7-2475

This note introduces the Schema-Trigger-Mode model as a tool to help leaders identify ingrained thought patterns, triggers and coping modes, thus fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation. The model, derived from Schema Therapy, explains the relationships between deeply ingrained thought patterns (schemas), activating situations (triggers) and the resultant coping states (modes). Recognizing these can lead to better self-awareness and emotional regulation. In leadership, understanding one’s schemas, triggers and modes helps in developing healthier responses to challenging situations. Such emotional management enhances decision-making capabilities, personnel management skills and overall leadership effectiveness.

Learning Objective

Understanding the concepts of schemas, triggers and modes and their origins.
Recognizing the impact of schemas, triggers, and modes on leadership and decision-making processes.
Learning to identify personal schemas, triggers and modes.
Developing strategies to manage and modulate emotional responses in leadership situations.
Applying the Schema-Trigger-Mode model for improved self-awareness, emotional regulation and personal growth.

Keywords

General Management, Human Resources, Leadership, Organizational Behavior, Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Regulation

Type

Generalized Experience

Available Languages

English

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