Medical vs. social model in leadership
One thing in good leadership seems to be a revolutionary thing — at least judging from reactions I get. What is that? Switching from the medical model to the social model in your thinking as a leader.
The social model of disability says that disability is caused by the way society treats people or, better said, doesn’t provide the right environment to them. The medical model of disability identifies that people are disabled by their disabilities.
This, too often, leads to an internalized mindset of people needing to be “fixed”. Have an illness? Take a pill, make it go away. Make it disappear, so that it’s not visible. We get posts like “look, how much I can do with my disability!”. (Subtext: despite my disability, I can enable myself on my own)
Decision makers need to realize that disabilities, chronic illnesses and neurodiversity are all part of the NORMAL human spectrum.
I get astonished faces when, in my talks and mentoring, I give the recommendation to talk, talk, talk to team members. To ask them what they need to thrive and how that can be provided — independent of disability even. To engage in mutual conversation. It’s a two-way street.
To truly listen, and if possible, to implement the feedback and wishes.
I am astonished by the reactions, given that servant leadership has enjoyed such a push in the last decade. But then disability should only be in the realm of integration management or follow standardized guidelines? Managers doing that cap off so much potential, particularly with the folks who don’t have status.
Up to 40%, depending on the estimation, live with some form of disability. People are people, and accommodations are not a luxury that need a 6-step request process.
Accommodations, when seen as completely natural, are the true way to go from inclusion to belonging. And don’t employers strive for that?
Don’t leave potential unused. Unearth it. Listen. Support. Change your opinions and perceptions. Learn. It’s not that difficult, I assure you. You might not change the world, but you will change someone’s world for the better. And isn’t that something.
