Behaviour Change Strategy: Demonstrate

Want to make sure everyone knows how?

Do people find it hard to follow new rules or use new tools just from explanations? Are you seeing that they get it better when they actually see someone do it? Are you looking for ways to make sure everyone knows what to do by showing them how?

Here’s how you can start:

1

Get everyone ready before it counts

Help everyone feel more confident by practicing new things in a inviting setting.

2

Lead by example

Make it clear what success looks like by demonstrating actions and behaviours yourself.

How Demonstrate
changes behaviour

  • Providing Clarity: Demonstrating a behaviour can clarify expectations and minimise misunderstandings by showing people exactly what is expected of them. This clarity can reduce barriers to change, making it easier for individuals to adopt new behaviours.

  • Inspiring Action: Witnessing someone successfully perform a behaviour can inspire others to take action. Demonstrating the desired behaviour can create a sense of possibility and motivate individuals to follow suit.

  • Establishing Social Norms: By showcasing desired behaviours, demonstration can help establish new social norms. When people see others engaging in a particular behaviour, they may be more likely to adopt that behaviour themselves in order to conform to perceived expectations.

When using Demonstrate, avoid…

Ineffective Role Models

The choice of role model is crucial in demonstration. If the person demonstrating the behaviour is not relatable or lacks credibility, the demonstration may be less effective in inspiring change. Ensure your chosen role model is relevant, authentic, and inspiring to your target audience.

Oversimplification

While it's important to make demonstrations clear and easy to follow, oversimplifying a behaviour can lead to misunderstandings or unrealistic expectations. Ensure your demonstrations strike a balance between simplicity and accuracy to maximise their impact.

One-Size-Fits-All Approach

People have different learning styles and preferences, so relying solely on demonstration may not be effective for everyone. Consider using a variety of strategies, including education and persuasion, to cater to diverse learning needs and preferences.