Switch
by Chip Heath, Chip; Heath, Dan Heath · first published 1999
93% recommend7% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Practical framework for changing behavior, built on directing the rider, motivating the elephant, and shaping the path. Suits technical leaders and team leads who rely too much on logic to drive change.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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 routi
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If anyone wants to read a book on behavioral change, try "Switch" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. It's sooooo goooood.
on “Top Mistakes in Behavior Change” ↗…dream to everyone is your most powerful move. Imagine for a moment what that would be like, what that would accomplish. This book is an amazing read for people in your position, https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Change-Things-When-Hard/dp/038...
on “Ask HN: Help my data analyst team not suck” ↗…ideas): - Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation by Steven Johnson - The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home by Dan Ariely - Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath, Dan Heath
on “Ask HN: What is the greatest book you've ever read?” ↗…(http://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Busine...) Category 3: - You already mentioned Michalko, but his other book, Thinkertoys, is also very good (http://www.amazon.com/Thinkertoys-Handbook-Creative-Thinking...) Category 5: - Switch by the Heath brothers is excellent (http://www.amazon.com/Switch-Change-Things-When-Hard/dp/0385...)
on “Ask HN: What books to read on developing mental models and increasing cognition?” ↗…than rational argument. It's a pattern worth understanding because you can use your understanding to defend yourself, or use parts of the effect to communicate your ideas and convince others. The book Switch[1] goes into more detail about what actually works when you're trying to get people to change. I highly recommend it if you're interested in Psychology or Marketing. [1]: http://www.amazon.com/Switch-Change-Things-When-Hard/dp/0385...
on “Why Do Cars Have Brakes?” ↗…http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-The-Habit-Being-Yourself/dp/1... http://www.amazon.com/The-Power-Habit-What-Business/dp/14000... http://www.amazon.com/The-Willpower-Instinct-Self-Control-Ma... http://www.amazon.com/Switch-Change-Things-When-Hard/dp/0385... http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates...
on “Ask HN: Changing habits” ↗It does depend on your audience, but I've gotten good mileage out of these questions, so personally vouch for them. I got them from the book "Switch"[0], which has better phrasing than I jotted down in my comment. I highly recommend the book. [0] https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Change-Things-When-Hard/dp/038...
on “Ask HN: Types of questions to ask team members before accepting role?” ↗…Kahneman "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg All are in a similar vein. For more focused book on human behavior, I recommend first time team leads/managers read: "Switch" by Dan and Chip Heath A solid guide to changing organizational behavior.
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗I've found that Switch[1] is really helpful for technical leaders. A large part of the job of a leader is successfully implementing change and too many leaders with a technical background lean too much on logic and reasoning…
on “Ask HN: What makes a good technical leader – any recommended books?” ↗“Team Topologies” https://teamtopologies.com/ “Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard” https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Change-Things-When-Hard/dp/038...
on “Ask HN: What books helped you in your entrepreneurship journey?” ↗…to the desired state of flow. Similarly, I now have the following written at the top of my TODO list at all times: "Direct the Rider. Motivate the Elephant. Shape the Path." This psychology comes from Switch by Dan Heath and Chip Heath, and it's hugely impacted my outlook on work, especially as a researcher.
on “How to overcome resistance to work ” ↗…people think. Decision making by people will make a lot more sense after this. 2. Influence - Robert Cialdani. Less theory and more pragmatic advice on how to influence people. 3. Drive - Daniel Pink, Switch - Chip Heath, Made to Stick - Chip Heath, Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely. Books on specific sub-categories. More pop-psych. Information density is less, but easier to read. 4. Poor Charlie's…
on “Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?” ↗I like two books by Dan and Chip Heath called (1) Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard (good summary here : http://www.veganoutreach.org/advocacy/switch .html ) and (2) Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die (good summary here: http://www.engineerguy.com/white-papers/made-to-stick.htm…
on “Ask HN: are there any good reads on how to motivate others?” ↗Interesting book that highlights frameworks to undergo different types of change. Switch, How to change things when change is hard - Chip Heath & Dan Heath
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard -- Chip and Dan Heath (http://www.amazon.com/Switch-Change-Things-When-Hard/dp/0385... Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us -- Dan Pink (http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates...)…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗