When trying to effect change one of the best strategies is to find a "bright spot." That is, find out where something is happening the way you want it to. Then feed that... encourage it, strengthen it and make a model out of it. The idea is stated this way by Chip and Dan Heath in the book, "Switch"
Instead of saying, “What’s broken and how can we fix it.”
Say, “What’s working and how can we do more of it.”
This is a great idea for a company of a church but it works well in relationships too. When your friend, child or spouse is doing something you wish they would change you will likely get more mileage out of finding the right behaviour and encouraging it than you will out of finding the wrong behaviour and trying to fix it. I can already hear the "but" and "what if" and "except for"... and I am sure many of them are justified but the principle still works, try it. :)
Instead of saying, “What’s broken and how can we fix it.”
Say, “What’s working and how can we do more of it.”
This is a great idea for a company of a church but it works well in relationships too. When your friend, child or spouse is doing something you wish they would change you will likely get more mileage out of finding the right behaviour and encouraging it than you will out of finding the wrong behaviour and trying to fix it. I can already hear the "but" and "what if" and "except for"... and I am sure many of them are justified but the principle still works, try it. :)
