conflict resolutions - Blogs - DPG Community2024-03-29T08:29:09Zhttps://community.dpgplc.co.uk/blog/feed/tag/conflict+resolutionsDoes HR and L&D need a good ‘nudge’?https://community.dpgplc.co.uk/blog/does-hr-and-l-d-need-a-good-nudge2017-10-10T20:34:33.000Z2017-10-10T20:34:33.000ZGary Norrishttps://community.dpgplc.co.uk/members/GaryNorris<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2217372?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p></p>
<p>Richard Thaler won the Noble prize in economics for his work on ‘nudge theory’ this week. Is nudge theory something we should be applying in HR and L&D? Maybe you already are?</p>
<p>Nudge theory involves affecting a person’s behaviour and choices based on subtle and indirect prompts rather than through instructions or the threat of punishment. It is a change-management tool that minimises resistance and confrontation and suggests humans are more easily affected by peer pressure than logical thought.</p>
<p>Here are some examples of nudges:</p>
<ul>
<li>Opt out instead of opt in schemes for pensions and organ donation.</li>
<li>Babies’ faces have been painted on shop shutters in areas of South-East London as people are less likely to damage something if it has a baby’s face on it.</li>
<li>The sign on the motorway roadworks that says ‘My Mummy works here’ encourages drivers to slow down.</li>
<li>Reducing the number of lifts in new buildings to encourage people (that can) to take the stairs.</li>
<li>The fly etched on the bottom of the urinal that helps to focus the user’s aim.</li>
</ul>
<p>Entertaining examples of the use of nudge theory can be found on <a href="http://www.thefuntheory.com/" target="_self">http://www.thefuntheory.com/</a></p>
<p>Examples that are more relevant to the HR world include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Having ‘email free days’ in the office which result in people getting up from their seat and going to speak to colleagues.</li>
<li>Downsized packets of paper for printers and photocopiers, thereby increasing the number of times one must fill the machine. With the aim being that people use less paper.</li>
<li>Bike-to-work, making healthy food more accessible than unhealthy food, and activity days can all help affect employee well-being.</li>
<li>Sharing information about the cost of not following Health and Safety procedure and how that cost must be recouped by the organisation can encourage compliance.</li>
</ul>
<p>As HR professionals, I’m sure we all agree that positive reinforcement is the way to affect behavioural change for the better. I think nudges can give us a ‘quick-win’ on some key issues and help us steer the ship away from those situations where people entrench themselves into arbitrary disagreement.</p>
<p>I’d love to hear about any examples of nudges in your organisations. Likewise, please share any behaviours you’d like to see changed and maybe the Community can suggest the nudge.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>(Image source: <a href="http://www.freeimages.com/photo/move-it-shorty-1309492">http://www.freeimages.com/photo/move-it-shorty-1309492</a>)</em></p>
<p></p>
</div>