We left off by discussing why changing behaviour within a corporate setting can be more difficult than individual attempts. With this blog, we want to explore why behaviour change is important and how to implement a successful program in your company.
Let’s first examine why behaviour change for employees is crucial
For starters, it not only drives individual growth but also significantly contributes to their overall satisfaction and success within an organization. The fact is, to change results in the organization, we first need to change behaviours. When employees adopt new behaviours that align with company goals, they become more effective in their roles and are viewed as an asset. This in turn can lead to increased recognition, opportunities for advancement, and offer a sense of fulfillment.
For a business, behaviour change is important because it can ensure agility, competitiveness, sustainability, and adaptability to evolving market demands. It promotes a culture of continuous improvement and helps teams align with strategic objectives. By implementing successful behaviour change initiatives, companies can reduce inefficiencies, increase productivity, enhance customer satisfaction, drive innovation and improve the bottom line.
EHL Insights provides a great general overview of tactics that can be applied to usher in behaviour change. However, management consulting firm Bain & Company places a complete onus on leadership – and we second it.
“Inspiring people to change is an essential leadership skill,” says the firm. “Ultimately, it really is up to leadership to create an environment in which employees embrace and adopt new behaviours, relieved of the frictions that too often impede adoption and ultimately thwart change efforts.”
Changing how an organization works can be difficult. It involves many people changing how they do things – and leaders play a big part in making change happen. It’s important to help employees make the right actions easier and more rewarding, and the wrong actions harder (as outlined in the figure below). This way, teams will see what’s best and copy it, and the influence will spread. As more people keep doing what’s best, it can have a big impact on an organization.
Here are some easy ways leaders can promote successful behaviour change within their business:
Identify important behaviours and people: Figure out what actions will help your business the most and which people need to change to make it happen.
Practice what good looks like: Make sure people understand what they should and shouldn’t do, and why it’s important. Give them safe ways to practice. Follow the model in our first blog and set 60-second commitments to behaviour change.
Try new behaviours and give feedback: Help people keep doing the right things by giving them feedback and encouraging them to learn from their mistakes.
Set reminders: none of us remember everything. With new behaviours, we need prompts and flags to keep us on track. Set phone notifications, have reminder posters in meeting areas or online, or set pop-up notices on your computer.
Let’s collaborate on more ways your organization can implement behaviour change for lasting success. Contact us today.
