Switch
How to Change Things When Change Is Hard
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3.4 • 19 Ratings
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- $17.99
Publisher Description
Why is it so hard to make lasting changes in our companies, in our communities, and in our own lives?
The primary obstacle is a conflict that's built into our brains, say Chip and Dan Heath, authors of the critically acclaimed bestseller Made to Stick. Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems - the rational mind and the emotional mind - that compete for control. The rational mind wants a great beach body; the emotional mind wants that Oreo cookie. The rational mind wants to change something at work; the emotional mind loves the comfort of the existing routine. This tension can doom a change effort - but if it is overcome, change can come quickly.
In Switch, the Heaths show how everyday people - employees and managers, parents and nurses - have united both minds and, as a result, achieved dramatic results:
● The lowly medical interns who managed to defeat an entrenched, decades-old medical practice that was endangering patients
● The home-organizing guru who developed a simple technique for overcoming the dread of housekeeping
● The manager who transformed a lackadaisical customer-support team into service zealots by removing a standard tool of customer service
In a compelling, story-driven narrative, the Heaths bring together decades of counterintuitive research in psychology, sociology, and other fields to shed new light on how we can effect transformative change. Switch shows that successful changes follow a pattern, a pattern you can use to make the changes that matter to you, whether your interest is in changing the world or changing your waistline.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The Heath brothers (coauthors of Made to Stick) address motivating employees, family members, and ourselves in their analysis of why we too often fear change. Change is not inherently frightening, but our ability to alter our habits can be complicated by the disjunction between our rational and irrational minds: the self that wants to be swimsuit-season ready and the self that acquiesces to another slice of cake anyway. The trick is to find the balance between our powerful drives and our reason. The authors' lessons are backed up by anecdotes that deal with such things as new methods used to reform abusive parents, the revitalization of a dying South Dakota town, and the rebranding of megastore Target. Through these lively examples, the Heaths speak energetically and encouragingly on how to modify our behaviors and businesses. This clever discussion is an entertaining and educational must-read for executives and for ordinary citizens looking to get out of a rut.
Customer Reviews
Excellent guide we can all use
I started this book because, lets face it, who wouldn't like a few things to change - at home, at work, or with themselves. I think we all mean well when we try to change something but often end up discouraged and feeling that change is a difficult thing to accomplish. (That's how I've felt, anyways!) But who knew, change doesn't have to be such a big or difficult thing if you just have some steps to follow! And that's what this book provides - clear easy steps to follow while trying to bring about a change.
I liked this book because I felt it's well rounded, drawing from a lot of sources, and is full of real life examples which bring the ideas to life. It's an easy read - enjoyable, entertaining, and I like best that it focuses on how ordinary people (without being in a powerful position at work, etc) can bring about positive change, even if its just getting Sally from accounting to give me her paperwork on time.
I've read other books on the subject but I think this one really tied it all together in a format that goes beyond theory.. it spells out a series of simple steps I can actually use in my day to day life.