In the coaching I do with leaders, a useful tool is the SCARF model that was developed by neuroscientist David Rock in 2008.

The SCARF model is intended to promote the building of trust and collaboration by helping people understand how they respond to threats and rewards. This model pays particular attention to these five areas:

Status – how you see yourself and how others see you

Certainty – how confident you can be about the future

Autonomy – how much control you have over your life

Relatedness – how connected you feel to others

Fairness – how reasonable you feel decisions involving you have been

Recently, I had to use this model on myself as I encountered a work situation that made me feel that my “status” was being threatened.

And while the SCARF model helped me identify what I was feeling and why I was feeling it, it was a verse within my daily Bible reading routine that gave me the most clarity.

The verse was Matthew 23:11-12 (from The Second Testament translation): “The greatest of you will be your servant. Whoever raises one’s own status will be impoverished and whoever impoverishes oneself will be raised in status.”

Hello!

This verse instantly redirected my thoughts and intent. Instead of worrying about my “status,” I needed to focus on the opportunity to serve others.

If, through serving others, I am adding value to others, then whatever “status” is to be gained from others will take care of itself.

And, if I focus on how I can serve others rather than how I can gain status, I will be making Jesus known instead of trying to simply make a name for myself. Doing that will, ultimately, lead to more fulfillment, meaning, and contentment than “status” ever could.

So what are you focusing on most: status or service?