To put it simply, “Why” is the root of all change. Why do you get up every morning? Why do you go to bed at the time that you do? Why do you do things differently in the present that you did differently in your past? These are all questions at the heart of humanity and our evolution. Each of those questions are motivated by some type of factor in our life that drew us to that conclusion. Usually, it is an experience that motivates our way.
The mind and the heart are two different motivators of change,. The mind rationalize is the desired effect of your change. It also tells you the steps needed to make the change. It is like drafting an essay using an outline. An outline helps to simplify your thoughts and construct the essay. However, the finished product is always different from what they start out as. In addition, while an essay outline does help, there is the issue that always arises of starting the essay itself. That is where the heart comes in. Why am I writing this topic? What benefit do my thoughts give others?
Change on any level can sometimes be difficult to except. We become accustomed to a system in our minds and breaking bad system sometimes means changing the very fabric of who we are. The video by “The Behavioral Science Guys” resonates so well with me, because this is a conversation I have with my students. Are use, my past experiences with classmates, friends, and even their own peers to construct a meaningful dialogue between them. Sometimes, the conversation goes well. Other times, I find that I’ve had to learn and understand more of the subject to better be in tuned with my audience.
Simon Sinek’s TEDTalk on “Start with Why” addresses the need to understand why. This can be applied not just in traditional marketing, but understanding people as well. Understanding a persons Y, helps you to understand how to motivate and inspire change in people. In John Kotter’s “The Heart of Change”, that winning of hearts and minds is done by getting people to feel differently which helps them change their behavior.
While the “Why” is important, The sense of urgency necessary to establish change is also key. Finding the heart of people what they want and then giving them what they want is how changes affects those around them. Kotter also said in “Establish a Sense of Urgency” that change must start with a establishing a sense of urgency within your group or entity. A sense of urgency is the foundation for how you build the rest of change. It is the fire lit under those who wish to establish and be a part of meaningful change.
References
All Washed Up! (2009, September 21). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/osUwukXSd0k
Change Behavior- Change the World: Joseph Grenny at TEDxBYU. (2013, April 26). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/6T9TYz5Uxl0
How to Change People Who Don’t Want to Change: The Behavioral Science Guys. (2015, January 05). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/9ACi-D5DI6A
Influencer: Cricket Buchler. (2012, December 17). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/wu7UBY5euBg
Influencer: The new science of leading change: 2nd ed. (2013). McGraw-Hill Education.
McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2016). The 4 disciplines of execution: Achieving your wildly important goals. Free Press.
Sinek, S. (2013). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Portfolio/Penguin.
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