force field analysis Archives

Understand the forces that shape the behaviours around you – Learn to better modify behaviours through forcefield analysis Mapping Motivation - header for exploring force field analysis

Why take this challenge?

Gain greater insight into why people act the way they do

Help people better adopt the behaviours they need to succeed

Make change easier and more lasting

Graphic image reflecting different pathways to take the adventure

Have you struggled to implement new ways of doing things? Launched a new approach and found the takeup somewhat variable? Seen change initiatives falter and never really get going?

The problem is often that what may seem obvious to us is not so obvious to others – even after it has been explained. And the struggle and tensions that are obvious to them, and not always properly understood by us. But if we don’t understand those tensions, we struggle to help people rebalance them. And that imbalance will resist change.

And what is true for others, is also true for us. Are you struggling to maintain a change in yourself? Have you fully appreciated all of the forces that create that struggle?

An extremely useful, and deceptively simple, tool to map these out was devised by Kurt Lewin. Called Force Field Analysis is simply plots out all of the motivations that promote and enable a behaviour on one side. And all of the demotivations that make it difficult or unpleasant on the other.

Lewin’s contention was that our behaviour operates at a point of equilibrium in these forces. And that a change in behaviour requires a shift in the point of equilibrium. In other words, we don’t need to make it all positive, we just need to tip the balance.

+ Green track - taking it in your stride

Looking at our own motivations.

So the green track is to revisit a behaviour that you are struggling to change in yourself. And to map it out using the Force Field Analysis tool – You can find a copy of it in the Pack section below.

At the top of the Flipchart write “Hmmm, shall I [X}’ where X is the behaviour you want to increase. Then, start on the left and write down all of the things that encourage and support that behaviour. What you know; how you feel; what you get back; why it’s good; skills or knowledge; what it means; … And then, on the right, list all of the obstacles that hold you back or drain your enthusiasm. Difficulties; awkwardness; consequences; cost; effort; distraction, …

Try and get everything down – even the small stuff. It really helps to have a complete picture. To name some of those things that you haven’t really questioned before. Now, just circle three things. The things can be on either list. But they should be choices that are relatively easy to improve. And things which would really help shift the balance positively. Things which increase the encouragement and/or reduce the demotivation.

What you do with them is up to you. But hopefully you will get the sense that bringing them out in the open has given you just a bit more control over the situation.

+ Blue track - a bit of a workout (click to open)

Making your team more effective

For the blue track you could simple extend what you did in the green track with your team. And, if you want to accelerate some change within your team, that will be fine. But if you are up for something else then I would encourage you to consider the following.

The most common use of the Forcefield Analysis is in looking at what influences the behaviours of others. And it would be good to develop some practice in this.

Increasingly, your team’s effectiveness is likely to depend on other teams who support or enact your conclusions to deliver its benefit to the business. It may be however, that their efforts don’t have the full impact or speed that you hoped for. To understand why, you might use the ForceField Analysis to explore their motivation in their efforts to implement or progress your ideas.

Write at the top of the Force Field Template “Hmm shall we … [X] ?” where X is the behavioural change you require in them. Then try thinking of them in their situation – putting yourself in their shoes. And ask what encouragements and discouragements you experience in enacting that behaviour. You may gather some surprising insights.

And, depending on what you have on your Force Field, you might share it with them, and together think through what might be missing. And then, as with the green track, circle three things that might be good to improve.

+ Red track - stepping up to bat (click to open)

Making change more effective

Thinking about motivation is something we don’t tend to do enough. Too often a project finishes with a set of actions or conclusions, and that is it! But how well do we explore the mindsets of those who are the recipients, beneficiaries, or custodians of that change? Thinking about what it feels like to them?

So the Red track is nothing more than a decision to make Force Field Analysis a regular part of any change your team undertakes. Thinking about motivations in this structured way takes minute, but it can save you weeks, months, even years, in gaining the buy-in and commitment you need to embed that change into people’s routines.

You may find the following resources helpful in tackling your challenge or in gaining further benefits from the skills and insights you develop

To catch up on past adventures you may have missed, feel free to browse our Adventures Library

Please help us to extend and develop our community by sharing what you are doing. Click on the links below where you are most active, and then like or share the article to your network. Thank you for helping.

And share your progress and insights with the Twitter LbA community using #leadingbyadventure

Useful links:

Introduction to Leading by Adventure  |  What we mean by spirituality?  |  Why Adventure
Adventures to date   |  I did it, but it didn’t work very well   |  How do I know if it is working
Bringing this thinking into your meetings   |  Adventure & Mental Health
Leading by Adventure community   |  Explore Strategic Support options