{"id":2199,"date":"2020-03-17T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clockwork.com\/?p=2199"},"modified":"2023-07-07T16:24:55","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T16:24:55","slug":"what-toilet-paper-can-tell-us-about-organizational-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clockwork.com\/insights\/what-toilet-paper-can-tell-us-about-organizational-change\/","title":{"rendered":"What toilet paper can tell us about organizational change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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People are persuaded more by the actions of others than by any proof we can offer.
<\/em>\u2014 Robert Cialdini<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been thinking a lot lately about toilet paper. Actually, I\u2019ve been thinking about the principle of social proof, but I wasn\u2019t convinced that would draw you in to read this. But, really, it\u2019s all connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social proof and organizational change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Social proof is a principle of influence that says we figure out what to do by watching what other people do<\/strong>. Which is how isolated runs on toilet paper in advance of COVID-19 quarantines (self- or otherwise) became nationwide shortages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In general, when we are unsure of ourselves, when the situation is unclear or ambiguous, when uncertainty reigns, we are most likely to look to and accept the actions of others as correct.
<\/em>\u2014 Robert Cialdini<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Social proof is one of the most powerful actors in any change we experience \u2014 at work or in life. When there\u2019s a change at work \u2014 new software, re-org, layoffs, new processes, even a new department leader \u2014 everyone affected will look around to see how to react.\u00a0This is when it\u2019s most important to have people-leaders and influencers at all levels engaged in the organizational change and ready to demonstrate the behaviors you\u2019re looking for.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do we demonstrate behaviors for organizational change?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n