What makes people, who possess knowledge about what they need to do to actually improve their performance, alter and change their behaviour? The answer is volition- a purposeful, intentional choice.
People choose to change their behaviour when they have a compelling interest to do so. Sometimes the reason for such a decision boils down to dissatisfaction or unhappiness with the status quo, or the consequences of not changing are too hurtful or unpalatable. Richard Beckhard and Rubin Harris offer this classic equation regarding change resistance:
dissatisfaction x desirability x practicality >(is greater than) resistance to change
Dissatisfaction is an emotional reaction that is so negative it prevents a person from continuing routine or usual functioning. Although it is a negative experience, dissatisfaction can provide a motivation to change. Desirability is the emotional reward for making a change. It is the “what is in it for me” driver.
Practicality is the realistic, attainable, and emotional acceptance of the change. It is willingness and trust to believe in a doable and practical alternative to maintaining the status quo.
Keep in mind that when it comes to behaviour and the brain, we are talking biology not psychology. f-MRI studies show beliefs are generated by complex recurrent firing of patterns of neurons accompanied by subtle but very specific changes in hormones and neurotransmitters. This brain activity is developed by experience and linked to the feelings that the experience engenders. In other words, our brains are hardwired by experience and feelings about dissatisfaction, desirability, and practicality.
The stronger the feeling and the more frequent the experience, the more we become hardwired to behave the way we do. Remember the neuroscience adage – brain cells that fire together, wire together. To change behaviour you must first use experience to change beliefs. A person must be convinced that the change will improve performance, outcomes, and workplace satisfaction. Neuroscience has proven this type of change only occurs when parties are in a positive human energy flow of thoughts, feelings and action.
Your outward circumstances are always, always perfectly aligned with your inner thinking (whether it seems like it or not). You are the cause of your circumstances. Consequently we cannot change our circumstances without first changing our thoughts. This can seem like a paramount undertaking given the day to day complexity and ambiguity of today’s dynamic organizational environment. However, the skill of Positive Presence drills it down and makes it easy … and when done in a group of two or more it is an enjoyable journey. The skill of Positive Presence is an innovative thought model that makes the connection of workplace behaviour to human energy – it demonstrates and develops the connection between the tangible and the intangible.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.