Change affects people to a greater or lesser extent depending on what kind of change it is. To ensure the success of a change program, everyone must change to some degree. In practice, this means understanding two factors: what influences behavior and what motivates people to change.
Five factors that influence behavior at work:
KNOWLEDGE is what people must know to be able to do what is required, and it is the easiest element to change.
SKILLS are what people need to carry out new tasks, and they may be physical or behavioral. Skills are more difficult to change than knowledge because they must be practiced.
BELIEFS determine attitudes which determine whether knowledge and skills are really applied on the job. Beliefs can be very difficult to change since they require people let go of established behavior.
BEHAVIOR is also influenced by environment. If desired behavior is rewarded, and undesired behavior is corrected, then organizations are more likely to succeed.
PURPOSE: The leaders' collective beliefs determine the purpose of the organization and create the environment. A clear vision of the future and the ability to convey it creates an environment that encourages productive and effective behavior.
What motivates people to change their behavior?
According to Abraham Maslow, our needs drive our behavior. Maslow believed that only unsatisfied needs motivate an individual. A supervisor can impact an employee's sense of security, belonging, and self-esteem. Supervisors can make a link between ability to change and value to the organization.
People always have predictable concerns about change. Anticipating and responding to these concerns can lessen and, in many cases, resolve them.
Until next time...
Sheryl Tuchman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
http://tools2succeed.com/
