Three Myths of Behavior Change



Your greatest adversary is not that change is hard to make. Your greatest adversary is common sense.

This is what Jeni Cross states in her Ted Talk, "Three Myths of Behavior Change."

The three myths of behavior change are:

Education will change behavior. It is possible to change behavior if you make the information tangible, tell people exactly what you want them to do and create a unique message for each audience.

You need to change attitudes to change behavior. The truth is that attitudes follow behavior, they don't predict it. You can change behavior by setting behavioral expectations and connect to people's values. 

People know what motivates them to take action. Social norms influence our behavior, other people doing it is most influential in changing behavior.

Since behaviors are so powerful, start modeling the behaviors you want from your people. You setting the pace for the organization will help others know what to do. Ensure you tell people exactly what you want them to do, be explicit and repeat the message often.

Finally, reinforce people who are exhibiting the changed behaviors; they will continue acting in this way and set the social norms for others to follow.

To watch the TED talk click here: Three Myths of Behavioral Change 

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