Influencer

Make Change Inevitable

Who shall set a limit to the influence of a human being?

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Let’s say that you’ve discovered the vital behaviors that need to be enacted to help resolve a profound and persistent problem you’re facing. You’ve also helped everyone involved see the need for change. Now how do you actually go about making that change happen?

To answer this question, let’s return to Guinea worm disease eradication efforts in North Africa—this time to a town in Nigeria. Imagine that you’re following General Gowon. He has been to this village to help dislodge the flawed beliefs that have kept villagers from changing their behavior. Minds have been changed. Certainly changing behavior will be a snap. So what’s the next step? ...