One of the beautiful things about human behavior is that we can change it, if we are committed to making the change and approach the change process in the right way.
If we don’t like being afraid of public speaking, we can change, if we don’t like being reserved and passive, we can change. In fact, most behaviors are not genetic; they are a product of our early childhood development, life experiences and other nurturing elements.
Most people have difficulty changing for a myriad of reasons which include:
• They do not realize they exhibit a certain type of behavior
• They realize they exhibit the behavior, but they are not motivated to change
• They are motivated to change, but they do not know how to change
• They are motivated to change and know how to change, but they do not set themselves up for a successful change
• They do not believe they can change
• They do not see the benefits from making a change
If we remove the roadblocks to learning and behaving differently, and are committed to making the change, we can change!
The Employee Empowerment Institute is dedicated to helping employees make behavioral changes that will empower them in the workplace and contribute to their success. The Institute prescribes ten Personal Empowerment Development Steps (PEDS):
1. Look within – Practice self-assessment and introspection. Many people go through life not having a clue why they behave the way they do. They just act out.
On the other end of the continuum are others who analyze every aspect of their behaviors and motivations; however, most of us are somewhere in between.
To the extent necessary, we need to learn how to identify and understand our behaviors so we can except or change them.
2. Determine your goal – what behavioral change do you want to achieve? Specifically identify your current behavior, how you would like the behavior to change and what the new behavioral change looks like, that is; how it is manifested. For example, if you would like to be more assertive; you will need to be more outspoken, self-confident and forceful.
3. Remove the buts – Take the initiative to eliminate the reasons not to change and, to address aspects of your skill set and competencies that are holding you back.
4. Invest in yourself – Take the time and make the effort to strengthen your knowledge, skills and abilities. Be willing to sacrifice (e.g. relocate) to achieve a higher goal.
5. Take some risks – To grow and change, we need to move outside of our comfort zone, that requires risking failure, embarrassment or ridicule. To be empowered, we must also be willing to speak truth to power and, question the status quo and authority.
6. Know your rights – Don’t rely on others to look out for you. Prepare yourself to look out for yourself and protect your interests.
7. Work within the system – Take advantage of what your organization has to offer, training, external education, project assignments, human resources support etc.
8. Work collaboratively whenever possible – Make your desire to change known and use trusted co-workers, family members and close friends to assist you with your change by providing feedback.
9. Evaluate your progress – Compare your change progress with your stated change goal.
10. Reinforcement and continuous improvement – Behavioral change like any other learned skill requires practice to master. Achieving behavioral change the first time does not ensure ones ability to replicate or master the behavior.
Since almost all of our behavior is learned not genetic, we are capable of changing. To increase our personal empowerment index just follow the PEDS. Do not try and change a number of things at once. Select the most leveraging behavior first and focus on making that change. Then go on to the next most leveraging behavior. And always remember, we are who we choose to be!
Team Onyx
Pierre A. Towns
Onyx Global HR
www.OnyxGlobalHR.com
(866)715-4806
info@ OnyxGlobalHR.com
We provide Custom HR Solutions For CEO’s and Senior HR Executives. Onyx Global HR is one of the foremost respected Human Resources Consulting Firms providing fast and reliable high-level HR expertise and thought leadership to our clients with a focus on reliable and effective execution. Get a FREE copy of our book “The ABCs of Leadership: The Simple Elegance of Getting to the Top… and What It Takes to Stay There.” Sign up here: http://www.OnyxGlobalHR.com/contactus.php.
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