Have you ever tried breaking an old habit to replace it with some new behavior?
Of course you have. Whether it’s a diet, exercising more, reading more, less device time, or other lifestyle changes, adopting a new behavior can be tough.
Working on changes in your leadership style can be hard.
Just like any life changing decisions, your effort to become a better leader requires change on your part.
Without exception, my coaching clients decide on a path to making behavior changes. Regardless of the issue or the topic that first brings us together, once I start coaching with someone, we find ourselves landing on the need for a behavioral change.
The change can transform executive presence, influence, and effectiveness. It might involve communication or delegation. Maybe the change is about interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
One way or another, the change someone desires always requires a behavior change.
Why Change Can Be Hard
If you’ve tried any of the changes I’ve mentioned above, you know change can be hard. Why is that?
First, there is our comfort zone. Habits and behaviors get comfortable for us. We do things mindlessly ignoring other things or people.
Breaking away from that comfort zone is felt physically and emotionally. We sense the change and prefer to revert to a more customary approach or reaction.
Then there is fear. Most of us fear change. It’s the great unknown. We ask ourselves what if this doesn’t work?
Lastly, it takes effort. If we’re going to break some chains, it requires effort. Sometimes we’re just too busy or tired to make the change.
Here’s How to Make Behavior Change Stick
I found there are 4 things that can help facilitate a change of behavior that sticks. My friend and colleague, Cheryl S. Bryan has also written about these in her blog.
Purpose – Lock in on your purpose and the reason for the expected change of behavior. Let the reason you choose to change become a beacon for the effort. Don’t lose sight of your purpose.
Plan – Make a plan for the change. Plot a course for the beginning, middle, and end. Set your path for change. Decide on details. Get stakeholder feedback along the way. Measure yourself. Learn from setbacks.
Patience – Be patient. You will experience missteps. Give yourself some grace as you attempt the change. It won’t all be perfect. If you slip up (and you will), pause, reassess and keep moving.
Practice – The only way a new behavior gets established is to practice it over and over again until it becomes more natural.
Go For It!
If you can follow these 4 P’s for making behavior change stick, you will achieve far greater success.
Use these when mentoring and coaching your team. Encourage others to embrace the change they need by observing these key principles.
If you would like to know more about making change stick, click on the links below. I’ll be happy to arrange a call.
