This post is a continuance of the thought processing in my previous post Behavior Change: Truth vs Fiction 1. Connecting the dots between Dr. Cross’ presentation on the Three Myths of Behavior Change and the Influencer’s Model of six sources of influence are quite easy to do after my reflection on both. They are in essence one and of the same.

Dr. Cross argues Information is enough.  The information should be thoughtfully crafted and unique to appeal to your target audience. The Influencer Model key point 1 (INFLUENCER, pg. 13) stipulates that any would be successful influencer must have Crystal Clear Goals.  These clear goals must be compelling in targeting your audience, designed to engage the mind, but appeal more so to the heart as well in effecting behavior change.

            Dr. Cross states, “You need to change attitudes to change behavior.” Her follow on  statement “Attitudes follow behavior, not predict it” is consistent with the Influencer Model’s key point 2 (INFLUENCER, pg. 26), Find Vital Behaviors, that the influencer can appeal to in engaging his/her audience to actively buy-in. Changing one or two of these vital behaviors has a better than average potential to effect readjustments of attitudes. Subsequently, change as intended picks up momentum.

Dr. Cross declares, “People know what motivates them to take action.” They think they do, including the influencer. The influencer must avoid the traps that can easily derail the intended change process by making conclusions based on simple perceptions. Satisfying key points 1 and key point 2 of the Influencer Model, segues the influencer to intentionally and deliberately move his/her target audience to perpetual action, capitalizing on the initial movement in response to the heartfelt behavior appeal.  Key point 3 (INFLUENCER, pg. 27) addresses Engaging All Six Sources of Influence; Personal Motivation, Personal Ability, Social Motivation, Social Ability, Structural Motivation, and Structural Ability, which are changes in behaviors.   The influencer must successfully get his/her target audience to adopt the changes to realize the change sought.

References

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

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., Switzier, A. 2013. INFLUENCER: THE NEWSCIENCE OF LEADING CHANGE.  New York: McGraw Hill Education