Why is it so hard to make lasting changes in our companies, in our communities, and in our own lives? The primary obstacle is a conflict that's built into our brains, say Chip and Dan Heath, authors of the critically acclaimed bestseller Made to Stick. Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems - the rational mind and the emotional mind—that compete for control. The rational mind wants a great beach body; the emotional mind wants that Oreo cookie. The rational mind wants to change something at work; the emotional mind loves the comfort of the existing routine. This tension can doom a change effort - but if it is overcome, change can come quickly. In Switch, the Heaths show how everyday people - employees and managers, parents and nurses - have united both minds and, as a result, achieved dramatic results: • The lowly medical interns who managed to defeat an entrenched, decades-old medical practice that was endangering patients • The home-organizing guru who developed a simple technique for overcoming the dread of housekeeping • The manager who transformed a lackadaisical customer-support team into service zealots by removing a standard tool of customer service In a compelling, story-driven narrative, the Heaths bring together decades of counterintuitive research in psychology, sociology, and other fields to shed new light on how we can effect transformative change. Switch shows that successful changes follow a pattern, a pattern you can use to make the changes that matter to you, whether your interest is in changing the world or changing your waistline.
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"What an appropriate book to finish during the season of New Year's resolutions! I don't do resolutions anymore because I take the approach that I'll make changes as I need to rather than waiting for the new year. In any case, there are some things I have been wanting to change but I've struggled to do so. This book helped me understand why and gave me some ideas for how to move forward. Most importantly is what they call scripting the critical moves. Basically, being more specific with what you plan to do. Saying you'll exercise 3x per week isn't enough. Schedule those three sessions (Monday after work, Wednesday before work, etc.). One of the other things is to shape the Path. Make it easier for you to do your workouts at the times you scheduled. Pack your bags, lay out your clothes, plan your meals/snacks, etc. so those workouts fall into place. Makes perfect sense, right? There are other things to consider (like a properly motivated Elephant) but, at the end of the day, I found some good tips in this book that I'll be experimenting with in the near future!"
— Jodi (5 out of 5 stars)
" Insightful read! Chock full of examples on how to apply interventions to support behavior change. Will be invaluable in my role as a health educator. "
— Hooleo, 1/1/2020" Psychological principles on how to get people to change "
— Tina, 2/10/2014" Interesting and insightful. Great book for planning strategies for change. Why some people are more successful in implementing change. "
— Lisa, 2/3/2014" It was a great book and gave me lot's of ideas to share with my work to help us with all the change we're going through as well as the new project we're working on. "
— Jennifer, 1/29/2014" Is it just me or does a man not lose the right to complain that he's middle-aged so he can't salsa if he's using the name "Chip" professionally? "
— Alexis, 1/22/2014" This was an interesting way of looking at things. I would recommend it for anyone who is in a leadership position. I had several "a-ha" moments. "
— Janet, 1/11/2014" Nonfiction that gives examples and stories about change that will bring about positive effects. While there is a heavy concentration on the workplace, many of these ideas would be helpful in many other situations. "
— Lisa, 1/5/2014" Change management 101. Compelling, story-driven and makes its points clear as day. "
— Simon, 1/5/2014" Only through the first little bit and I've already garnered a few good tips. Great if you're trying to manage and lead change in your workplace. "
— Louisa, 12/26/2013" A vivid, wit book by the awesome Heath brothers to provide a new paradigm of change when change is hard. Highly recommended "
— Khalid, 12/1/2013" Absolutely excellent book on the psychology and management of change. Dare I say it? A potentially life-altering book. Highly recommend! "
— Sarah, 11/18/2013" Full of good ideas. I listened to the audio version of the book. "
— Nandita, 11/18/2013" Simple truths and a simple framework that is consistently applied throughout the book. Great examples. A worthy read for anyone who wants to change anything, including himself. "
— Wai-kit, 9/18/2013" Very interesting book. The authors wrap interesting stories into their theories. "
— Yancey, 3/3/2013" Overall good book, but I think it could have been accomplished in just 4 chapters. "
— RJ, 1/13/2013" A great book. I highly recommend reading it. They have great ideas about creating change in both a professional setting and in your personal life. "
— Michael, 7/19/2012" Looks like bullshit business book-of-the-month on the outside, totally life-altering ways to approach change on the inside. (Well, maybe that's a bit premature. Let's see if my life alters first.) "
— Kat, 3/10/2012" Well written! The concepts are straightforward, and the anecdotes make them memorable. "
— Meg, 2/16/2012" Easy to read and engaging. There are several valuable ideas in here. However, I read during a hectic time at work, so it took me over 6 months to read because I preferred to pick up other books during any time off. "
— Hans, 1/11/2012" Easy reading, simple concept but got a little too preachy for my taste. Biggest take-away for me is that that I'm too rational and need to address the emotional side of things to instill change. "
— Victor, 10/2/2011" Great book, especially for people in "change" professions (therapists, personal trainers, nutritionists, etc.) "
— Amy, 9/7/2011" I had to read this book for work and ended up really enjoying it. This book teaches about the way certain people think, get set in ways, finding people that stand out and make a difference, rider vs. elephant. i recommend this book. "
— Sarah, 8/11/2011" Wonderful, thought provoking book about change. "
— Leslie, 7/14/2011" An interesting take on how to create change | Worth reading once and only once | Great way of framing the big picture of how change is fostered on an individual and organizational level. "
— FATHOM+HATCH, 6/24/2011" Offers opinions on why some chnage occurs easily and other change meets with fierce resistance. Offers solutions for preparing for and accepting change. "
— Onecotton, 6/24/2011" Interesting stories, easier to read than Influencer, and much more practical.<br/>I am sure I will tell some of the stories in the future, as examples the church could and maybe should learn from.<br/> "
— Jim, 6/8/2011" Very good book. I have things in my life I "want" to change, but haven't. This book helps me understand why, and what I can do differently. This is from a psychological/business/self-help perspective; see Willpower Is Not Enough for a more religious treatment. "
— Carol, 6/6/2011" I heard the author speak for about an hour and I felt that he covered the book in that time. I think I would have enjoyed both the book and his talk more if I had read the book first. "
— Marlene, 5/29/2011" Read this for work. It had some good points, but kept pushing the point over and over again. Great real life examples though. "
— Dana, 5/25/2011" Lots of practical advice and repetition to drill the concepts home. "
— Becky, 5/22/2011" This book gave some really good insight on how to get change started, whether it be personal change, community change, or workplace change, to name a few. The key? Start small with things that work and the results may surprise you. "
— Steve, 5/16/2011" Read this as part of a book group for professional development. Want to spend more time reviewing the concepts to see how I can utilize them in both my professional and personal life. <br/> <br/>Liked the use of examples the authors use to demonstrate their points. "
— Allison, 5/14/2011Chip Heath is a professor at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. He and his brother, Dan are the bestselling authors of Made to Stick and Switch. He lives in Los Gatos, California.
Dan Heath is a senior fellow at Duke University's Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE). He and his brother, Chip are the bestselling authors of Made to Stick and Switch. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than three thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than three hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014, and was named one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices in 2012.