What We're Reading: Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

By Kelly Medinger

03-15-2012

Harnessing the emotional elephant in the room

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard offers practical advice for how to appeal to both our rationale and emotional sides in order to affect change, be it changing the world or simply changing a bad habit.  

Of particular note was the chapter entitled "Shrink the Change," where the authors recommend focusing on small milestones that are attainable and visible, rather than on the eventual destination, which may seem very remote.  This approach is especially relevant to the nonprofit sector, where many are working towards large-scale change yet can fuel their motivation by celebrating small-scale successes along the way. 

In the end, Switch introduces a pattern for successful change through an engaging and story-driven narrative.  A great read all around!