MindShifting is not the only way to learn to be resourceful, resilient, and collaborative.

Other methods use different vocabulary, but there are a lot of ways to improve self-awareness, self-regulation, and communication.

For example, the US Department of Labor has great resources on uses of Behavioral Science to improve performance.

Behavioral insights involve the application of behavioral sciences, or understanding how people make and act on decisions, to improve the design of public policies and programs in ways that better reflect human nature.

Teachers want to nudge student behaviors so that they learn more. Administrators want to nudge teacher behaviors so that they act in ways that help their students learn more. District and state administrators want to nudge teacher and school administrator behaviors toward more effective schools. Parents want their kids to act differently. Sales people want people to buy their products. Managers want to manage. And so on.

Some of the types of problems where behavioral science can improve effectiveness:

Low take-up: Fewer people than expected participate.

Poor follow-through: People do not take all the steps needed to be effective.

False beliefs: People misunderstand aspects of a communication and base their choices and actions on incorrect assumptions, resulting in implementations without integrity.

High attrition: people start but they do not finish.

If you’ve experienced these issues with people you are trying to coach, teach, manage, or work with, perhaps you can start making changes in four areas:

Motivate People by

1. Invoking social norms (like peer pressure). Give people information about what others like them are doing and encourage them to join in what their peers are dong.
2. Reminding them of their values before acting. Studies show that when people first think of the goals or values they would achieve by acting, they are more likely to act in a manner to achieve them.
3. Considering the timing. People are more likely to start new things after certain landmarks, like the beginning of school, the start of the year, or even the beginning of a month or week.

Address Limited Attention by

1. Simplifying option. While everyone wants voice and choice, too many options overload our decision making ability; limit options to the most relevant choices, often fewer than five.
2. Providing a clear call to action. Make it clear what the next step is along with any relevant instructions, milestones, and deadlines.
3. Providing reminders in a way that will be perceived as helpful.

Streamline Operations and remove barriers to action by

1. Being specific with simple information on the benefits, and do not require people to seek out additional details.
2. Reducing hassles. Make it easy for them to start; for example set a time for the next meeting instead of asking them to request a time; provide an easy way for them to access instructions whenever they need them and wherever they are.
3. Changing the default. Make it require more effort for them to opt out than to opt in.

Make Communications More Impactful by

1. Making them easy to understand. Can the reader immediately understand the key points and follow-up points? Is the font easy to read and the format clear? Is the language simple to a casual reader, avoiding jargon or technical information?
2. Putting the most important information first. People often only read the first two paragraphs, then skim headings and bullet points. Make sure there is a clear single step or action that is communicated, although there can be multiple follow-up steps after that.
3. Personalizing the communications. Convey that you know and understand the recipient. Avoid generic greetings like “Dear Sir/Madam” and impersonalized signatures (like Curriculum Department).

The Department of Labor published a 38-page practitioner’s playbook which unfortunately has been removed from their website. But, I happen to have a copy of the playbook here. You can see the DOL’s other resources here.

I’m always interested in the many ways people are becoming more effective. Let me know about other resources that you find, and don’t forget that you can also find many resources on our MIndShiftingWithMitch website.