EDLD_5304: Behavior Change – Truth vs Fiction

One dictionary defines common sense as “sound and prudent judgement based on a simple perception of the situation or facts”. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)  

I have no problem here.  I am often inclined to make sound and prudent judgements based on a simple perception. And herein lies my proverbial foot in the mouth moment. There is nothing simple or a foregone perception when dealing with the human psyche. What I thought initially made sense now has become an exercise of root cause analysis sorting through the findings of nonsense I find myself.

Jeni Cross does a great job of concisely identifying three myths that run counter to common sense classification.

Information is enough.

No, it is not. Large-scale change among the masses very rarely happens no matter how logical it seems, “if I can just educate them on the problem, they will embrace and actively take part in the changes to be made.” The information has to be thoughtfully and uniquely crafted to your target audience. Know your audience. Engage them as vested stakeholders, each with a personal responsibility for making this change. If not, they/we risk significant losses that will leave us being much less desirable persons than the best version ourselves.

You need to change attitudes to change behavior.

Jeni Cross’ statement says it all, “Attitudes follow behavior, not predict it.” The common sense script is flipped. The priority here is to clearly set behavioral expectations from the onset. Without them, there is no urgency or conscious heart felt compulsion to do anything.

People know what motivates them to take action.

No, they do not. Actually, from a leader’s perspective, contrary to public opinion we cannot give motivation to anyone. A reservoir of motivation inherently exists inside every person we meet. As leaders, the challenge is intuitively tap into and ignite those pre-existing motivations. (The Myth of Motivation, 2013, John Maxwell)

Jeni’s social norm behavior change example of what street musicians should do is classic. Intentionally having a friend passing by often to contribute to their coffers in the sight of others is an “ignition” point to inducing similar behavior in others.

References

Common Sense, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common%20sense

Cross, Jeni, July 2018. Three Myths of Behavior Change – What You Think You Know That You Don’t, TEDxCSU, Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/l5d8GW6GdR0

Maxwell, John C., July 2013, The Myth of Motivation, Retrieved from: https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/the-myth-of-motivation/