Issue #1: Embracing Change & Our New Focus

G’day and Welcome,

Change isn’t easy—but it always begins by asking the tough questions. I’m Nicola, a Registered Psychologist with specialised knowledge and skills in evidence?based psychology and behavioural science. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Evaluation, Behaviour & Impact, a fresh space where I’ll decode the hidden systems behind our decisions and uncover the patterns that drive lasting change.

What’s Changing?

In my previous editions, I focused on workplace wellness and leadership—helping organisations and individuals thrive by creating healthy environments and strong teams. Now, I’m taking a more granular approach by zeroing in on:

?? Evaluations: I’m diving into the nitty?gritty of assessing programmes, processes, and systems. It’s all about asking, “What’s working? What’s not? Where do we go from here?”

?? Behaviour: We’re uncovering the hidden patterns that influence our choices—from everyday decisions to the complex systems governing our actions.

?? Impact: Ultimately, it’s about creating change that lasts. Whether you’re an individual or part of an organisation, understanding these systems empowers smarter decisions and measurable improvement.

A Note on the Pivot: I’m embracing this change because I believe evaluations aren’t just tools for programmes—they’re tools for life. By understanding the systems behind our behaviour, we can drive transformative change in personal growth, organisational effectiveness, and community well?being.

In This Issue, You’ll Find:

?? Feature Article: The Power of Evaluation: Uncovering What’s Really Working - A deep dive into why rigorous evaluation is the first step to meaningful change. Discover how a systematic approach can reveal the hidden influences behind your decisions.

?? Behaviour Spotlight: Hidden Patterns: How Our Decisions Are Shaped - An exploration of the behavioural cues that guide us—using everyday examples (and a hint of gambling psychology) to illustrate how risk, reward, and reinforcement play out in real life.

?? Actionable Insight: Ask the Tough Questions - A simple challenge: Identify one system in your life or organisation that isn’t working as it should. Reflect on why that might be and consider what change could unlock better outcomes.

?? Feature Article

The Power of Evaluation: Uncovering What’s Really Working

Change isn’t accidental—it’s engineered. At its core, meaningful change begins with rigorous evaluation: a systematic approach to uncover the hidden influences behind our decisions and actions. In this feature, we’ll explore why evaluation is the first step to transformative growth and how it can reveal the underlying systems that shape our outcomes.

Why Evaluation Matters

Imagine trying to improve a machine without knowing how its parts work together. Without evaluation, you’re essentially guessing which gears to tweak. A robust evaluation cuts through the noise by objectively measuring what’s working and what isn’t. It provides clarity in a complex environment, whether that’s in personal decision?making, organisational performance, or community programmes.

When we evaluate systematically, we move beyond surface-level fixes. Instead of merely addressing symptoms, we delve into the root causes of inefficiency or dysfunction. This process helps identify hidden factors—such as environmental cues, unspoken assumptions, or ingrained habits—that influence our behaviours and outcomes.

A Systematic Approach: The Secret Sauce

A systematic evaluation isn’t about complex jargon or endless data—it's about asking the right questions and using evidence to guide change. The process typically involves:

?? Setting Clear Objectives: What exactly do you want to achieve? Whether it’s improving a health promotion programme or enhancing decision?making processes, defining clear goals is essential.

?? Gathering Reliable Data: Data provides the factual foundation. By collecting qualitative and quantitative insights, you can form a realistic picture of current performance and areas needing improvement.

?? Analysing the Findings: This is where evaluation transforms into insight. An analytical review uncovers patterns and trends—like the hidden influences that bias our decisions or the reinforcement mechanisms that keep us stuck.

?? Implementing and Monitoring Change: Evaluation is only as good as the actions that follow. Once you know what’s not working, you can design targeted interventions and continuously monitor progress to ensure lasting impact.

Uncovering Hidden Influences

One of the most compelling aspects of evaluation is its ability to reveal the unseen. Consider gambling psychology: techniques such as variable reinforcement and near misses are designed to keep you playing. While these principles might seem confined to casinos, similar patterns exist in everyday decision?making. Evaluation helps identify these “hidden systems”—from workplace processes that inadvertently stifle innovation to personal habits that undermine our goals.

For example, an organisation might assume that a particular programme is effective simply because it has been running for years. However, a thorough evaluation might reveal that while the programme appears popular, its actual impact is minimal due to outdated methods or unaddressed behavioural biases. By exposing these hidden influences, evaluation becomes a tool not just for accountability but for real, actionable improvement.

Empowering Change Through Evaluation

At its best, evaluation is empowering. It equips you with the knowledge to challenge assumptions and make decisions based on solid evidence rather than intuition alone. Whether you’re an individual striving for personal growth or an organisation aiming to create sustainable impact, knowing what’s really working is the first step toward a more effective strategy.

By adopting a systematic evaluation process, you can shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive innovation. It allows you to measure progress, adjust strategies in real time, and ultimately create change that lasts.

Takeaway: Ask yourself—what systems in your life or organisation could benefit from a closer look? Evaluation isn’t just about numbers; it’s about understanding the forces behind your decisions so you can drive lasting change.

Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to decode the hidden systems that shape our world. And remember: the journey to meaningful change begins with asking the right questions.

?? Behaviour Spotlight

Hidden Patterns: How Our Decisions Are Shaped

Every day, subtle cues influence our decisions—often without us even realising it. In this spotlight, I'll explore the hidden behavioural cues that guide our actions, drawing on everyday examples and a touch of gambling psychology to illustrate how risk, reward, and reinforcement play out in real life.

The Invisible Hand of Behaviour

Our choices aren’t made in a vacuum. From the moment we wake up, we’re bombarded with environmental signals that nudge us toward certain actions. Think about the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that pulls you to the kitchen or the way bright store displays entice you to purchase something you hadn’t planned on buying. These seemingly trivial details can have a profound effect on our behaviour.

Lessons from Gambling Psychology

Consider the world of gambling—a realm designed to exploit behavioural cues. Take pokies, for instance, they use variable reinforcement schedules. They’re engineered so that wins are unpredictable: sometimes you get a near miss, which feels like an almost-win, and sometimes you win just enough to keep you engaged. This mix of risk and reward creates a dopamine surge that reinforces the behaviour, prompting you to keep playing even when the odds are against you.

This same principle applies to our daily lives. Whether it’s the subtle nudges in a retail environment or the way social media algorithms tailor content to our preferences, the underlying mechanics of reinforcement influence our decisions. By understanding these patterns, we can learn to recognise when we’re being subtly steered and make more informed choices.

Everyday Examples: Beyond the Casino

• Risk & Reward: Imagine choosing a new route to work because you heard it’s quicker—even though you’ve never taken it before. Your decision is influenced by the prospect of saving time (the reward) despite the uncertainty (the risk).
• Reinforcement Cues: Think of a favourite restaurant that sends you a personalised discount offer just when you’re deciding where to eat. That extra incentive, delivered at just the right moment, reinforces your loyalty.

The Takeaway

By paying closer attention to these hidden cues, we can start to decode the systems behind our decisions. This isn’t about eliminating all risk or ignoring rewards—it’s about becoming aware of the factors at play so you can make choices that truly serve your best interests.

Reflect: What’s one everyday cue that has nudged your decision recently? How might recognising that influence help you make a more informed choice in the future?

?? Actionable Insight

This week, I challenge you—whether you’re an individual or a business leader—to identify one system that isn’t working as it should. It might be a personal routine, a departmental process, or an organisational procedure that’s holding you back.

Take a few moments to reflect:

?? Why is this system failing?

?? What hidden factors could be undermining its performance?

?? What small change could unlock better outcomes?

For business leaders, ask:

• Are your evaluation processes revealing the real impact of your programmes?
• Is there an inefficiency or overlooked pattern that, if addressed, could drive measurable growth?

For individuals, consider how a shift in your personal systems might lead to greater resilience and success.

Remember, whether it’s personal or organisational, real change starts by challenging assumptions and asking the tough questions.

Write down your insights and commit to one actionable step that will begin to shift the system in your favour.

Until next time, keep challenging assumptions and uncovering the hidden systems that shape your decisions. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and insights as we drive change together.

If you’re ready to drive real change—whether through personal coaching, therapy, or organisational evaluation—let’s connect and explore how we can unlock better outcomes together.

Stay curious and keep challenging the hidden systems behind our decisions.

Looking forward to working with you,

Nicola