The Care Model

Description

Culture isn’t just what’s written on the wall, it’s how people feel at work. And how they feel drives how they perform. The CARE Model gives leaders a practical framework for building emotional culture intentionally, not accidentally.

Scott De Long, Ph.D., introduces the CARE framework, Connection, Appreciation, Recognition, and Empathy, as a roadmap for leading with emotional intelligence. When these four elements are present, trust grows, collaboration strengthens, and teams move from compliance to commitment.

In this book, you’ll learn how to:

• Foster authentic Connection between team members and across roles
• Show Appreciation in ways that feel genuine, not performative
• Offer Recognition that motivates without creating competition
• Practice Empathy that’s grounded in action, not just understanding
• Build psychological safety and reinforce cultural norms through everyday interactions

You’ll also explore how to integrate the CARE Model into your leadership style, meetings, 1-on-1s, and feedback processes. Real-world examples and conversation prompts help you put these concepts into action immediately.

This isn’t about being “nice”, it’s about being effective. The most resilient, innovative, and productive teams are emotionally connected. When people feel cared for, they give their best. The CARE Model shows you how to create that kind of culture, one interaction at a time.