FEAR OPENS EYES. HOPE MOVES FEET. AIM FOR BOTH

“Yes, Burning Platforms can shake people out of complacency. But without a reason to believe that a better future can be realized, real change cannot be achieved. Deep commitment to change happens when excitement about the future outweighs the fear felt today.” —John Kotter [i]

Change mixes fear and hope, revealing threats while promising a better future. Focus on opportunities, not just risks. Hope, more than fear, spurs action. Aim for excellence and inspire excitement about the future, as hope is the real motivator.

Takeaways. Fear alone won't sustain change; hope is essential; Balance the message: threats get attention, opportunities sustain effort; Deep commitment comes when future gains outweigh present fears.

Fundamental Concepts. Scaring people wakes them up. That's the Arousal Theory. But it's a short-term jolt. That's Negative Reinforcement. A ‘Burning Platform’ serves that role. [ii] What's next? To get people moving, need Intrinsic Motivation. That's Self-Determination Theory. Give them a reason to believe. Show them a better future. That's Cognitive Restructuring. Positive Emotions balance out Negative Emotions. It's about Emotional Regulation. When gains outweigh fears, commitment grows. That's the Commitment-Trust Theory. [iii] So don't just scare. Inspire. Tap into both sides of Emotional Affect.

Bottom Line. Drive change using both fear and hope. Let fear wake your team up and use hope to keep them moving. Paint a bright future to inspire action and dedication. Cut down fear, highlight the good, and build trust for real change.

[i] Kotter, J. “Leading Change.” (1996)

[ii] Burning Platform. My take: The ‘burning platform’ is a dire call to action. It’s like a ship on fire at sea. You either jump or perish. It’s a stark, urgent choice. Change or be consumed. Simple and brutal.

[iii] Morgan, R. M. & Hunt S. D. “The Commitment-Trust Theory of Relationship Marketing.” Journal of Marketing. (1994). Change366’s take: the Commitment-Trust Theory is simple: relationships survive on steadfast commitment and solid trust. Without them, they fall apart.