Book Review: SWITCH, How to Change Things When Change is Hard

We could not pack too many books in our luggage, but I did manage to bring a couple.  Keli and kids are often reading on the Kindles, and though I have started to do a little e-reading through iBooks, I prefer to have a book in my hands that I can mark up and dog-ear.  One of the books that I managed to squeeze in the luggage was "SWITCH: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard".  That link goes to Amazon, but if you go to the authors website, Chip and Dan Heath, you can read the first chapter and see additional resources for free.

I've mentioned before that I read a lot regarding organization leadership, marketing, and cultural/business transitions.  I tend to define leadership as "the ability to facilitate positive change"; and, I'm a big fan of the KISS Principle (Keep It Simple/Stupid).  All of these factors led me to and made me love the book SWITCH.

The Heaths begin their book with "Three Surprises About Change":

1. What looks like a people problem is often a situation problem.
2. What looks like laziness is often exhaustion.
3. What looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity.

Already they have struck gold because most "leaders", pastors or managers fail to comprehend why no one wants to follow.  Then, they continue to outline over the next three sections of the book a practical, simple, and connected 3-part strategy to help you facilitate change:

1. Direct the Rider
2. Motivate the Elephant
3. Shape the Path

I won't sit here and reiterate all of their writings in this blog,  but I will tell you this is well written.  As I said, the principles are really simple and interconnected so you can see their application reinforced in multiple examples throughout the book.  In addition, there is an appendix with the top excuses heard relating to change and then redirects based on the principles from the book; and, the Heath's website provides additional resources such as podcasts that are helpful for the ongoing application of these principles in different sectors.

We have been a part of leading change from the role of assistant pastors and from the lead pastor position.  Nothing is more exciting, challenging and downright frustrating.  We have seen countless leaders have great ideas and then watch them fall into despair as few fail to grasp their idea fully.  We were blessed with good role models that helped to intuitively shape several of these ideas in us, but we never had the training in such a simplified and connected strategy as presented by the Heath's book.  I read this book with appreciation of how the information was presented, but also with thanksgiving for the leaders who helped lay a foundation of these things in our leadership without such a book.  

I would encourage the following to read this book:

First, any young adult preparing to enter ministry or a leadership role within an established organization.  Many young adults have a lot of really positive ideas and are ready to help make the world a better place, but can't seem to communicate their ideas in a way that doesn't come off as arrogance or youthful idealism.  As a result, older more established systems and audiences often seem resistant and therefore lead to the young leaders frustration and possible burnout or cynicism.  

Secondly, Pastor staffs and their Board, particularly if you are contemplating or attempting to initiate new vision or strategies.  This is a simple read and really could be discussed together over the course of three to four meetings.  The discussions from such a group reading could help breathe new life into the presentation of vision, which could be the difference in acceptance and resistance.

If you have read SWITCH, and you have additional or different feelings about the book, feel free to comment below...