Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard

Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Chip Heath and Dan Heath wrote the best seller Made to Stick about how to connect with ideas in 2007.

In this new work, the authors address the topic of change and the mental and emotional obstacles to achieving it.  Using a series of examples gleaned from behavioral change specialists, to the corporate world to Alcohol Anonymous, the Heaths provide a number of common sense, yet thought-provoking techniques.

The brothers use the unique vehicles of describing the logical and emotional sides of making a change as the rider and the elephant. The rider, representing logic, is responsible for planning and direction.  The rider must coordinate with the elephant, that is responsible for the energy to get tasks (change) done.

The brothers break down the change process in a very manageable way: find the bright spots to pattern the effort after, script exact and achievable steps toward the goal, and motivate people as progress is made toward goals.  It’s an effective approach to a difficult topic.