Success is not a fixed destination that we reach and forget about. It’s a continuous process that helps us unlock our full potential and create a positive impact on our lives and the world. So, true success is not just about achieving our goals, but it’s also about aligning our actions with our values, empowering us to evolve and explore new possibilities. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Rudder4Success Personal Development Framework (RPDF) – a powerful tool designed to help young adults develop the skill of “Learning to be“(Learn more). By developing this skill, they’ll be able to not only achieve ongoing self-improvement and pursue happiness, passion, and personal achievement as the true indicators of success, but it’ll also empower them to take control of their personal development journey in a way that no other tool does.
The Origin of Rudder4Success Personal Development Framework (RDPF)
Daniel Kim’s Core Theory of Success (TOS) provides the base theory for the Rudder4Success Personal Development Framework. It adopts a systems thinking approach, recognising the interconnections between various components and how they impact our overall success. This approach emphasises the importance of considering the interrelationships that lead to success.
TOS is a framework founded on the principle that the quality of the relationships among individuals who work together increases team spirit, mutual respect, and trust, which enhances the quality of their thinking (meaning they consider more facets of an issue and share a significant number of different perspectives), which leads to an increase in the quality of actions and results. In the RPDF, ‘quality of relationships’ refers to the depth, trust, and mutual respect in our interactions with others. The theory not only emphasises the importance of relationships and communication but also underscores their role as the basic building blocks of human interactions. Having an explicit theory of success allows an individual to continually test the impact of planned actions and assess whether these actions have a net positive or negative effect on their overall success, thereby highlighting the significance of their relationships in their journey towards success.
Applying these principles in real life builds quality relationships with others, improves communication skills, and develops critical thinking abilities to make better decisions. In the RPDF, ‘quality of actions and results’ refers to the effectiveness and impact of our actions as well as the outcomes we achieve. Enhancing the quality of our actions and results ultimately achieves great success in our personal, academic, and professional lives, and it is why we chose TOS as the foundation for developing Learning To Be. By integrating these principles into the framework, Rudder4Success, provides a practical and comprehensive approach to personal development that emphasises the interconnectedness of various components and their impact on our overall success.
Our Expanded Theory of Success (ETOS)
Based on TOS’s foundations, ETOS incorporates the influence of Cognitive Behaviour Theory. It recognises the intimate connection between our thinking and feelings and how the quality of both directly shapes and influences the quality of our doing (actions). In the RPDF, ‘quality of feelings’ refers to the depth and authenticity of our emotions, which can greatly impact our behaviours and actions. Hence, the inclusion of ‘quality of feelings’ into our Expanded Version of Daniel Kim’s Theory of Success:
Furthermore, our identity, being our self-concept, and self-esteem are vital in the RPDF. Self-concept, reflecting our thoughts about ourselves, is synonymous with the quality of our thinking. At the same time, self-esteem, representing our feelings about ourselves, influences the quality of our emotions (Learn more…). Hence, our identity is the driving force behind our behaviours, leading us to realise that changing our doing (actions) demands a change in our core: changing who we are! In our RPDF, changing who we are mean shifting our core beliefs and values, which, in turn, affects our behaviours. As said by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The ancestor of every action is our thought.” Moreover, Rudder4Life’s ETOS/Rudder4Success suggests that our identity consists of three elements: Self-concept, self-esteem and our behaviour with the latter being the only one visible to the world. This means our self concept and self-esteem are invisible to others, but they play a crucial role in shaping our actions (behaviour) and, ultimately, our success. The RPDF provides a structured approach to understanding and changing these elements, empowering you to shape your identity and, consequently, your success. See diagram below:
To further enhance the RPDF, we have also incorporated the three basic human needs proposed by Self-determination Theory (SDT): autonomy, belonging, and competency. Autonomy refers to our need for independence and control over our actions. Belonging is our need for social connections and relationships. Competency is our need to feel capable and effective in our actions. These needs are crucial for developing a self-determined identity and are influenced by the quality of our relationships and actions. They are also essential because our sense of competency affects our thoughts and self-concept, while our sense of belonging influences our emotions and self-esteem. Ultimately, these factors manifest in our autonomy, doing (actions), behaviour and, ultimately, the quality of our relationships. By considering these elements, we can create a comprehensive framework that addresses the complexity of human behaviour and facilitates changing who we are.
Moreover, to satisfy our basic human needs (ABC) and develop a self-determined identity means we must also be self-motivated:
By considering these elements, we can create a comprehensive framework, coined as the Rudder4Success Personal Development Framework (RPDF), which addresses the complexity of human behaviour and helps us to change who we are!
How Do We Change Identity?
More importantly, the RPDF highlights the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as an agent for change and Learning To Be. SEL consists of five crucial components: self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship management and responsible decision-making (Learn more…). We must first develop self-awareness and social awareness to change who we are. Thereafter, understanding and empathising with our emotions and those of others empowers us to change what we do, our behaviour.
Our feelings, self-esteem, and sense of belonging are intrinsically interconnected, and by enhancing self-awareness and social awareness, we can improve the quality of our emotions and self-esteem. This, in turn, empowers us to practice self-management, enabling us to manage and improve our relationships effectively. Changing who we are (our identity) begins with mastering our feelings and building genuine connections with others. Learn more. As Jim Rohn said, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.”
What’s Rudder4Success Personal Development Framework (RPDF)?
C.S. Lewis once said that a good education must be supported by values to make us better individuals. (learn more) We need a set of values to guide us in making the right choices in life. The RPDF is based on the idea that values are essential for responsible decision-making and personal growth. It is therefore our first building block of the Rudder4Success framework.
Moreover, self-determination theory(SDT) suggests that motivation is a crucial element of our journey towards success. SDT says integrated motivation (IM), which is informed by our values, inspires a sense of purpose and is considered to be the closest form of our inborn intrinsic motivation. It therefore serves as the next fundamental building block of the RPDF, inspiring self-motivation and encouraging us to strive for competence in our thinking, belonging in our emotions, and autonomy in our actions. Ultimately, this leads to self-determination, which empowers us to develop our emotional intelligence and build quality relationships.
So, to manage our feelings, we rely on two components of SEL: self-awareness and social awareness. Conversely, we turn to the other three SEL components for controlling our behaviours: self-management, relationship management, guided by responsible decision-making. This holistic approach considers our feelings and self-esteem as two sides of the same coin, and through self-awareness and social awareness, we nurture self-esteem and self-management, leading us to develop and sustain fulfilling relationships:
The RPDF, therefore, is a life-changing process, guiding individuals to build meaningful relationships, communicate effectively, and refine their critical thinking skills. By adopting this framework, one can embark on a path of continuous growth and self-improvement, ultimately achieving great success across all aspects of life. Adopt the RPDF, and witness its remarkable impact on your personal, academic, and professional endeavours. Remember, success is not a destination but an evolving voyage of self-discovery and accomplishment.