Ushering Motivation and Behavior Change into the 21st century

Authors
Dr. Rosie Ward and Dr. Jon Robison

Summary 

11/14/2015 Pages 1-15

This ebook challenges the readers- those who are seeking an effective way to change the negative behaviors of their employees. Throughout this book, it is emphasized by the author that 21st-century thinking is needed when organizations approach the subject of behavioral change. The first several sections gave example's of studies done in the 1990s and early 2000's that showed how incentives, using, the "carrot and stick" approach did not bring about lasting change. In some instances using these methods brought about unexpected negative results.

B.F skinner a researcher whose studies are still deeply engrained in how we approach behavioral modification. He postulated that humans were just sophisticated animals whose actions could be explained by the principle of "reinforcement." He believed that all human action was a result from the same process.

" He concluded that human beings have essentially no free will: all of our actions are merely mindless "repertoires of behavior that can be fully explained by the environmental consequences that follow them." (Step back further in time and this can be identified with Rene Descartes)

Can all humans actions be explained by positive and negative consequences? What does current research say about this?

The two types of motivation: 

Extrinsic/ Controlled Motivation- The Carrot/ and or stick method where you are not thinking for yourself, it isn't something inward that is driving you to do this.

Intrinsic/Autonomous Motivation-  is when people  do something because they want to do it.

If we want people's intelligence and support, we must welcome them as co-creators. People support what they create. 
-Margaret Wheatley


Dean Ornish did two studies with heart patients who had double or quadruple heart bypass operations. The first study he told his patients that if they didn't make a significant change that they would die. Only 10% of patients made any significant change over the two-year study.

After this study was unsuccessful Dean Ornish took a different approach. With this study, he wanted his patients to learn how to appreciate life rather than fear death. The program that he created included yoga, meditation, counseling and a healthy diet.  After two years, 70% of the patients had made a sustainable life change.  

Technical challenges- challenges where existing knowledge can be applied to bridge the gap between the current reality and where you aspire to be.

Adaptive challenges with these challenges it requires so much more internally. Adaptive challenges require you to change you entire thinking pattern, sometimes it can fundamentally change the way you live your life. It is difficult because it challenges our deeply held beliefs and values that made us successful in the past may become less relevant... 

 How to approach behavior change in the 21st century: 

1. Evidence-based research
2. Neuroscience is key.  according to the author 98% of the things we know about the brain has been discovered in the last 8 years.
3. Instead of finding the right answers maybe we should look for different questions.
4.  The brain has an innate desire to solve its own problems and create novel connections
5. For decades now the approach to behavior change has been from the technical, mechanical, perspective. Research has proven time and again that intrinsic self-motivated approach works best.
6. It is not the job of the organization to get their employees to change behaviors using force or coercion. Creating an environment that encourages individuals to be inspired to solve and make positive changes for themselves is how we should approach behavioral change.

People need to be inspired to self-leadership.