How Social Emotional Learning Shapes the RISE Model
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) posits that we are not just cognitive beings—we are also emotional and social creatures.
Our ability to learn, relate, and grow is deeply influenced by our capacity to understand ourselves and others, manage our emotions, and navigate social dynamics.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) identifies five key competencies at the heart of SEL:
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making.
Feedback, at its core, is a social-emotional exchange.
When feedback is given or received, emotions often rise to the surface—whether it’s pride, vulnerability, defensiveness, or anxiety. The RISE Model supports SEL by creating a structure that honors these emotional realities. It begins with reflection, promoting self-awareness and ownership of one's contributions. It moves into inquiry, fostering empathy and curiosity about another’s perspective. Suggestion encourages respectful, constructive dialogue, and elevation invites shared vision and growth.
By offering a shared language and predictable process, RISE lowers the emotional stakes of feedback.
It builds trust and relational safety—conditions that are essential for both learning and high-functioning teams. In this way, RISE operationalizes SEL.
