Behaviour change: Small steps, Big results
Behaviour change is not a magical process. It is a combination of motivation, the right strategies, and an environment that supports change. It may sound simple, but in practice, sustaining new habits is often challenging. From my experience, real behaviour change happens when there is a strong desire to change, the goal is realistic yet challenging, and changes are introduced in small steps. What is often overlooked is the power of the environment and positive reinforcement in embedding new habits.
Small Steps, Big Change
The idea of using small, achievable habits as the foundation for major change — as described by BJ Fogg in Tiny Habits — is something I apply in my practice. Fogg shows that behaviour change becomes easier when we start with small actions that are highly doable. Consider, for example, improving communication within a team or setting goals that are achievable in the short term. Rather than tackling a large, abstract ambition such as “better collaboration,” it is often far more effective to define concrete actions, like “a weekly team check-in.” This not only makes change easier to start, but also easier to sustain. Small, achievable goals help people stay motivated and continue to grow without becoming overwhelmed.
The Power of Repetition
Behaviour is shaped through repetition, as explained by James Clear in Atomic Habits. The key concept here is consistency. Habits are not formed by doing something right once, but by repeating it over time. Like Fogg, Clear also emphasises the importance of shaping your environment to support desired behaviour. For example, when you want a team to collaborate more, you can design the environment so that collaboration becomes easier and more natural. This might range from creating dedicated time for team check-ins to using tools that actively support collaboration. The easier it is to perform the desired behaviour, the more likely it is to become embedded as a new habit.
Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding Yourself
A crucial element of behaviour change is reinforcing desired behaviour, and this is exactly where positive reinforcement — as described by Aubrey Daniels in Bringing Out the Best in People — plays a key role. By rewarding desired behaviour, motivation remains high, making people more likely to repeat that behaviour. In my practice, I see how important it is to reflect together regularly and to give one another positive feedback. This becomes even more effective when it is linked to a social reward that is defined together. After all, what feels like a reward to one person may feel like a punishment to another.
Rather than waiting to celebrate a major success, it is far more effective to reward small wins along the way. This applies not only to others, but also to yourself. When you reach a small goal, allow yourself a moment of recognition. Reinforcing your own successes helps you stay on track and makes the entire process of behaviour change more enjoyable and sustainable.
So: Make It Easy and Reward Yourself
Behaviour change does not have to be difficult or overwhelming. It starts with the intention to change, setting achievable goals, and taking small, consistent steps. Make sure your environment supports the behaviour you want to encourage, and reward yourself (or others) for success, no matter how small. By applying positive reinforcement, new habits become part of everyday life and eventually feel automatic. Behaviour change is, above all, a process of taking small steps, shaping the environment, reflecting, and continuously reinforcing desired behaviour.
By applying these principles, both individuals and teams can not only achieve their goals, but also realise lasting change.
