Schematic Leadership Identity Model (SLIM)

A workbook for leaders who desire to be more effective and deliberate in their leadership identity and for young leaders coming into their own, this book introduces a unique two-step process to understand and define your leadership identity. While some leadership frameworks operate under static concepts of what makes a good leader, the Schematic Leadership Identity Model (SLIM) offers new and seasoned leaders an opportunity to explore the anchoring of who they are and the ebbs and flows of their attitudes and behaviors through life's changes and experiences. The SLIM framework has two main footings of its seven phases: revolution, which is the recognition of one's identity journey, and the theoretical constructs that help frame the process and evolution, a series of assignments and journal entries that helps each leader acknowledge their current leadership identity, unravel habits and behaviors that may not align with their idealized self, and redefine their leadership identity based on their findings and whom they aspire to be. The evolutionary design is a system necessary to be revisited as a leader goes deeper into their memories and experiences. This framework helps unearth unconscious and implicit biases that can hinder a leader's social and cultural capital. No matter the industry or discipline, SLIM offers leaders a self-guided process of discovery that can profoundly examine the root causes of behaviors and attitudes to create meaningful change within themselves that can produce significant positive changes in their teams and organizations.

Deatra L. Neal, Ph.D., was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an award-winning filmmaker who earned her Ph.D. in Global Leadership in 2021. Deatra has worked with many cultures and diverse perspectives as a global consultant, creative entrepreneur, professor, and researcher. Deatra seeks to foster a sense of identity in leaders, allowing them to mitigate biased behaviors and attitudes that support problematic outcomes for marginalized groups. Deatra's inspiration comes from her daughter, Jada, and grandson, Thomas, and her many great-nieces and great-nephews who will soon be in positions to change the world.

Dedication. Chapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: My Identity Journey. Chapter 3: Phase I: The Revolution - The Foundation. Chapter 4: Phase II: The Framing - Theoretical Framework. Chapter 5: Phase III: The Evolution - The Process. Chapter 6: Phase IV, Part 1: The Work - Taking Self Off the Shelf. Chapter 7: Phase IV, Part 2: The Work - Habits and Behaviors. Chapter 8: Phase IV, Part 3: The Work - Self-Trust. Chapter 9: Phase IV, Part 4: The Work - Removing the Shade. Chapter 10: Phase V: The Build - Schematic Leadership Identity Model. Chapter 11: Phase VI: The Anchor - Sustaining Schematic Leadership Changes. Chapter 12: Phase VII: The Remodel - Begin Again. About the Author