Changing Behavior is Like Playing Whack a Mole

May 3, 2021

Good morning! I enjoyed a long and wonderful Saturday hike with a good friend in 90-degree sunshine, a few flowers blooming. Some of the plants, hostas especially, grew six inches or more during Saturday’s heat. Averages are fascinating — and sometimes sobering. Most people will remember the mid-summer-like first day of May, but will not recall the average temperature of the week was 47.

Do not underestimate the prevalence of so-called gaming in our society — nor its influence.
What is your estimate of the time you invest each day watching the microwave oven go in circles?
“Knowing yourself (your business/ organization) is becoming more and more important… because of rapid change.” (Meyer)
Consumers expect it all — and they expected it yesterday.” (Meyer)
“The greatest risk is to do nothing.” (Meyer)
It’s a thought-provoking metaphor: Getting under the iceberg to better understand human behaviour.
- Can we do it? Are we willing to do it? What will we do about what we discover?
“The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. The role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen.” (Sinek)

Changing Behavior is Like Playing Whack a Mole

Changing behaviour is like playing whack a mole. (Craven, Fong, et al.)
- Large scale organizational change (presumably for better results) has always been difficult.
  - I am not allowed… I can’t… or I won’t… are not the only barriers, but they constitute the most common ones.
  - Successful change; i.e., organizational improvement, starts with these four elements:
  1. I see my leaders, colleagues, and staff behaving differently. (Role modeling)
  2. I understand what is being asked of me and it makes sense. (Understanding and conviction)
  3. I have the opportunities and the skills to behave in the new way. (Confidence and skill building)
  4. Barriers are being removed and I’m being rewarded for making the changes I’m being asked to make. (Reinforcement with formal mechanisms)

Dandelion Explosion!

By Michael A. Mullin

Dandelion Explosion!

Countless bouquets for Mothers’ Day;

golden blossoms chained as a wreath for golden hair.

Some see weeds;

not the bees,

not the vinter nor the sommelier,

not Euell Gibbons,

not butter lovers,

not children at play.

A massive taproot, like alfalfa.