Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

So there are hard changes and easy changes. What distinguishes one from the other? In this book, we argue that successful changes share a common pattern. They require the leader of the change to do three things at once. We’ve already mentioned one of those three things: To change someone’s behavior, you’ve got to change that person’s situation.

Heath, Chip and Dan. 2010. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard.

We read tons of books on change while writing Switch. Here are some of our favorites, in no particular order: The Happiness Hypothesis, by Jonathan Haidt [Psychology, Philosophy, Happiness]. Haidt came up with the Elephant/Rider analogy that we use in Switch. If you want to be happier and smarter, you should read his book. Mindset, by Carol Dweck [

If you’ve finished Switch and are hungry for more, visit the book’s website: heathbrothers.com On the site, you can find resources like these: One-page overview. Download and print the one-page overview and share it with your colleagues. [PDF format] The Switch podcast series. Listen to a series of short, tailored podcasts, in which the authors off

To change behavior, you’ve got to direct the Rider, motivate the Elephant, and shape the Path.

If you want people to change, you must provide crystal-clear direction.

If you want people to change, you must provide crystal-clear direction.

things to change, somebody somewhere has to start acting differently. Maybe it’s you, maybe it’s your team. Picture that person (or people). Each has an emotional Elephant side and a rational Rider side. You’ve got to reach both. And you’ve also got to clear the way for them to succeed. In short, you must do three things: → DIRECT the Rider FOLLOW