At some point during our lifetimes, we’ve likely all attempted to change people who don’t want to change. Our ambition to coerce people to shift habits may surface from fear for their health, their life, or to achieve an outcome which we believe will make us happy. What are the most common practices we try and break in others? Smoking, excessive drinking, adultery, and a lack of fashion sense.
How to Change People Who Don’t Want to Change
Most people do not listen with the intent to understand what you are saying; they listen with the intent to react and reply. It’s human nature to react defensively when we feel like someone is attacking our persona or questioning our actions.
The ”Behavioral Science Guys” made a brilliant video about how we can change behavior in people who don’t want to change. The scientific study they created demonstrates how a small change in how we communicate with others can cause change.
In summary, to promote change, drop the guilt-pleading and emotional pleas; replace the lecture with an influential question.
