STEER
Welcome to your first topic in the Rising Leaders program. The STEER model is a framework grounded in psychological theories of emotional intelligence. It is designed to help you pause, reflect, and choose a conscious response, rather than reacting on autopilot. It is the foundational framework that underpins everything we do in the Rising Leaders Program.
To begin, watch this 3.5-minute video and read the lesson that follows:
The STEER Model ©
Why do we do what we do?
Ever stopped to wonder why two people can face the exact same situation but react in completely different ways? What is it exactly, that drives those responses? Why is it that we seem to repeat the same mistakes, maintain bad habits, or get stuck in unhelpful patterns, even when we want to change?
The STEER Model helps us unpack this. It shows how our thoughts, whether helpful or not, set off a chain reaction—through emotion and energy—that shapes our behaviour and ultimately, impacts our lived reality.
Take another everyday example:
“It’s too hard to lose weight.”
If that thought takes hold as a core belief, your brain aligns accordingly triggering emotions like disappointment, and resignation. With those emotions in play, it then feels a lot more difficult to find the energy or motivation to exercise, shop for healthy food, or book that doctors appointment (response). The outcome? You find yourself in a situation where you don’t lose weight. Which conveniently reinforces your original thought:
“See? Losing weight really IS just too hard.”
This is why the model is depicted as a repeating cycle, and it doesn’t just apply to health, the STEER model is happening in every element of our lives every single day—whether we are aware of it or not.
Every time our brain runs a thought-emotion-behaviour loop, it gathers “evidence” to support our initial belief, locking us into a self-fulfilling prophecy. In human psychology, this is something called confirmation bias, which is the unconscious tendency to notice and believe things that support what we already think, while ignoring things that don’t. Over time, this confirmatory cycle becomes the foundation of our habits, default responses, and deeply held beliefs.
Challenging our confirmation biases isn’t always easy—but there’s great power in doing so. It opens the door to new perspectives, breaks unhelpful patterns, and creates space for real change. When you consciously interrupt STEER cycles that no longer serve you, you take back the wheel. It empowers you to lead with intention—especially when your brain urges the fast, familiar response that may not serve your people, your purpose, or your potential.
Take a moment to stop and reflect on the thoughts that form some of your own STEER cycles, and ask yourself:
Are these thoughts steering me toward the life—and leadership—I want?
If the answer is no, you may be feeling stuck or dissatisfied in some areas. The good news? You’re not trapped. This program gives you tools to interrupt unhelpful cycles and consciously STEER your thinking in a direction that serves your goals.
We start our Rising Leaders journey by taking a deeper dive into our thinking process; how the brain works, its limitations, and the kinds of thoughts we carry into work and life. Then, we’ll examine the role of emotion and energy, particularly how stress impacts the brain and our behaviour. Finally, you’ll learn strategies to shift from the automatic reactions that don’t serve you, to the intentional responses that do. With this insight, you’ll be better equipped to shape your circumstances, strengthen your leadership, and move toward the outcomes you want.
Because when you change the way you think, you change the way you live, and thus change the way you lead.
Reflective Questions
Please take some time to answer the questions below. The power of self-reflection lies in your willingness to be honest and vulnerable. The more openly you engage, the more insight and growth you’ll unlock.
The STEER Model applies across all areas of life—health, finances, relationships, and work.
- When you think about the STEER Model, what event or experience came to mind for you personally?
- In which areas might your automatic thoughts be helping you? Where might they be holding you back?
- What areas of your life might benefit from you taking greater control of your STEER Model?
- What leadership challenge could the STEER Model help you to address?