People Energy Principle #7 – Change Change People by Assuming They Can’t Change
You’ve probably heard it before: “People can change if they really want to!” Cute. Inspiring. Totally unreliable as a leadership strategy.
The Hard Truth
Most people don’t dramatically change who they are just because you gave them a pep talk or a shiny new job title. Personality traits, values, and quirks run deep. If someone hates details today, odds are they won’t magically love spreadsheets tomorrow.
Trying to “fix” people by sheer willpower is like trying to teach a cat to bark. Technically possible? Maybe. Efficient? Not even close.
The Leadership Hack
Here’s the trick: assume people won’t change who they are—but do change what’s around them.
- Adjust systems and incentives so their natural behaviors align with what you need.
- Put people in roles that use their strengths instead of punishing their weaknesses.
- Remove friction and you’ll see “changed behavior”… without changing the person.
Why It Works
When you stop trying to rewire humans, you free up energy to design environments that actually produce results. It’s not personal. It’s practical.
The Provocation
What if you stopped being an amateur therapist and started being an organizational architect? Change the system, not the soul.
Your Move
Find one place where you’re frustrated someone “just won’t change.” Then stop trying to change them. Change their environment—and watch what happens.