The Anatomy of a Habit

The Anatomy of a Habit
-Reframe your thinking!-

I was reminded recently of the powerful force of a habit. I once heard a theory about this powerful force and I’d like to share it with you today. In the theory, called the Anatomy of a Habit, there are four stages which can tell you a whole lot about a person and how best to lead that individual. I truly feel this can be a tool to help communication flow in the workplace.

Step one of a habit is: Unconscious and Unskilled. Your associate’s mind is like an unmolded lump of clay. They’re uninterested or unaware of a desired behavior. In this stage, your associate may be unaware of how to properly greet a customer. It’s at this point that you need to make them aware of what they are unconscious of by pointing it out to them.

Step two is: Conscious and Unskilled. At this stage, your associate becomes aware of the new behavior, but has not developed the skills to perform it consistently well. Your associate may appear awkward, uncomfortable, and intimidated by your company’s way of greeting a customer. They’re trying to adapt to the new behavior, but it’s a challenge. As a leader, you need to keep an eye on these people and make sure they are learning the right skills.

Step three is: Conscious and Skilled. Here, your associate is becoming skilled and comfortable with the new behavior. Practice is creating habit slowly but surely. At this point, as a leader, you need to give your associate lots of positive feedback to cement their new skills in their head.

Finally, step four is: Unconscious and Skilled. Your associate doesn’t even have to think about the behavior anymore. It has become a habit to greet customers in a professional and friendly manner.

It’s been said it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. With plenty of instruction and positive enforcement, your associates can master the great habits that make your company unique.

- Joe Kiedinger -

ACTION PLAN: Find out where your associates fit into this continuum. You’ll learn a lot about how you can best help them thrive and grow!