Comments on: Making Change Work

By: Susan Fronk

Susan Fronk — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 14:09:30 +0000

Mike,

Thanks! I will have to get a copy.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:37:51 +0000

Susan,
Although there’s much to be learned on a personal level, the book focuses on professional level. Through its analysis of leaders who have initiated successful change, it addresses the question you pose: “So, if change is inevitable, why do people resist it so much?” An engaging read, it ranks as one of my Top 10 Best Books.

By: Susan Fronk

Susan Fronk — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:04:57 +0000

Mike,

Thanks for the recommendation on the book! Do the authors focus on making personal or professional changes?

By: Susan Fronk

Susan Fronk — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:03:23 +0000

Julie,

Regrettably, I no longer have the cartoon or I would send it.

You are quite right about the folly of measuring others behavior on our terms.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:24:56 +0000

I'd highly recommend Dan and Chip Heath's most recent book titled "Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard". It's the best advice on change theory I've read anywhere.

By: Julie Weishaar

Julie Weishaar — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:02:40 +0000

Susan, great cartoon – can you send me a link? I would love to show it to my daughter LOL.

You are right even if the change in ourselves is to change how we view or interpret others’ actions. I have always said that we have NO control over what others do but we do have control over how we react to it. I think the biggest mistake many make in both personal and professional lives is to NOT understand that everyone sees, reacts, responds, etc. to situations differently and we can’t measure others’ behavior on our own terms. We need to put ourselves in the shoes of the other person and see things from their perspective.

By: Susan Fronk

Susan Fronk — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:46:00 +0000

Julie,

Personally or professionally, when I am most frustrated with someone’s behavior, if I am really honest with myself, I eventually realize that it is me who needs to change. The longer I live, the more clearly I see this.

One of my favorite cartoons shows two doors. The one marked, “How to blame others” has a long line of people standing in front of it. The other one marked, “Personal Responsibility” has no one standing in line.

By: Julie Weishaar

Julie Weishaar — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:17:44 +0000

Susan, I love your article and have to check out your background on Linkedin. I have a feeling it is similar to mine.

I think the two key points you brought out about how to get people to embrace change hit the nail on the head. 1) Make them think it is actually their idea at least in some part, and 2) help them “see” for themselves how these changes will benefit them. When it comes to our kids, we all know that the best way to get our children to NOT do something is to tell them to do it. That includes asking them to change something. Sometimes reverse psychology actually works LOL.

I also agree that people resist change based on fear and stubbornness. Hey, I have a 17 year old – the latter explanation prevails in her case!
Thanks for sharing your insights 

By: Susan Fronk

Susan Fronk — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:47:07 +0000

Saqib,

Thank you for making that excellent point. In fact, the method you described is by far the best method for facilitating behavioral change in others. Especially if the outcomes you achieve with that behavior are appealing to them.

By: Saqib Awan

Saqib Awan — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:20:17 +0000

From my experience, one of the methods that can make a real difference is what I call the “silent invitation.” If you want someone to perform certain action you will have to embrace it first and often exercise it in front of the person whom you want to adopt your practice. When you will practice such a thing before him/her repeatedly, there will be a time when the other person will follow.