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Removing Barriers to Change

Jonah Berger

4.9

Based on 445 ratings

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Jonah Berger

What does it mean to truly change something? How does one persuade others to change? How do we reduce roadblocks to change? In this course, you’ll learn about the barriers to change and how to become more effective in inspiring change within others and your organization. Professor Jonah Berger of the Wharton School has designed this course to help you understand the REDUCE framework, and shows you how to develop your skills of persuasion and influence. By the end of this course, you’ll know both the strengths and weaknesses of certain strategies for removing barriers in change, plus you'll learn how to leverage those strategies to achieve change in both business and in life.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1 - The Challenge of Change

In this module, we’ll begin by identifying the challenges of change and by defining what the Status Quo Bias is. You’ll weigh the advantages and disadvantages of change, and understand the right balance between potential gains and losses to overcome loss aversion. You’ll learn about the downsides of pushing people to change, discover the importance of being a catalyst, and establish the REDUCE framework. By the end of this module, you’ll be better able to understand the fundamental elements of both change and aversion to change, and be able to identify good change agents to implement while changing both minds and behavior

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Useful for personal growth and development, helping learners become more effective in inspiring change within others and their organization

Taught by Jonah Berger of the Wharton School, who is recognized for his work in change management and influence

Emphasizes practical application through the REDUCE framework, providing learners with strategies to overcome barriers to change

Introduces real-life case studies and examples, allowing learners to connect theory to practice

Suitable for professionals, managers, and individuals seeking to influence change in business and life

Requires learners to be comfortable with basic concepts of psychology and behavior change

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Reviews summary

Inspiring change: mastering the reduce framework

According to learners, "Removing Barriers to Change" is a highly practical and insightful course that equips professionals with effective strategies for inspiring change. Students praise Professor Jonah Berger's engaging lectures and the actionable REDUCE framework, noting its applicability in both business and personal contexts. Many found the case studies and real-world examples to be particularly helpful in understanding complex concepts like Confirmation Bias and the Endowment Effect. While some advanced learners felt certain elements were foundational or repetitive, the course is generally considered a strong starting point for those new to change management or seeking to refine their persuasive skills. The content is consistently described as relevant and well-structured, providing concrete tools for immediate application.

Solid introduction, but may be high-level for experts.

"Good foundational course on change management... a bit high-level for experienced change leaders."

"While the professor is knowledgeable, I found some of the material to be common sense repackaged. Better for beginners..."

"It's a good introduction, but don't expect a deep dive into complex change management."

Strategies are useful in both professional and personal life.

"A concise yet powerful course. I learned a lot... The strategies are applicable both professionally and personally."

"I've already started applying the REDUCE framework at work, and it's making a difference."

"This course really changed my perspective on how to approach resistance to change in various situations."

Illustrates concepts with compelling real-world examples.

"The case studies were well-chosen and helped illustrate the concepts."

"The course material is very relevant to modern business challenges."

"The examples make complex ideas easy to grasp."

Professor Berger delivers concepts clearly and engagingly.

"Professor Berger's insights are gold."

"Professor Berger's delivery is engaging, and the examples make complex ideas easy to grasp."

"The concepts were explained clearly. I appreciated the balance of academic rigor and real-world examples."

Provides actionable tools for real-world application.

"This course is incredibly practical and provides actionable strategies."

"It wasn't just theory; it gave me tools I could use immediately in my organization."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Removing Barriers to Change with these activities:

Explore TED Talks on Influence and Change

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Enhance understanding of influence and change by viewing TED Talks that present diverse perspectives and insights

Browse courses on Persuasion

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Search for TED Talks on related topics
Watch and take notes on the key messages

Review Influence

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Deepen understanding of persuasion principles and strategies by critically reviewing the concepts outlined in Influence

View Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of... on Amazon

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Read the book
Summarize key concepts and principles
Identify real-world examples of the principles in action
Discuss the implications of the principles for change management and persuasion

Attend a Workshop on Persuasion Skills

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Network with professionals and gain practical knowledge by attending a workshop focused on developing persuasion skills

Browse courses on Persuasion

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Identify relevant workshops
Register and attend the workshop
Actively participate and engage with other attendees

Four other activities

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Volunteer as a Mentor for Aspiring Leaders

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Develop practical influence skills and support the next generation by mentoring aspiring leaders

Browse courses on Leadership

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Identify mentoring opportunities
Prepare to support and guide mentees
Engage in regular mentoring sessions
Provide feedback and guidance

Role-Play Persuasion Scenarios

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Practice and refine persuasion skills through role-playing exercises that simulate real-world scenarios

Browse courses on Persuasion

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Identify common persuasion scenarios
Prepare and practice role-playing situations
Engage in role-playing exercises
Reflect and analyze the effectiveness of persuasion techniques

Design a Persuasion Campaign

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Apply REDUCE framework by designing a persuasion campaign that targets a specific audience and desired change

Browse courses on Persuasion

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Identify target audience and desired change
Conduct research and define resistance points
Develop strategies to overcome resistance
Create a persuasive message and communication plan
Implement the campaign and monitor its effectiveness

Write a White Paper on Change Management

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Synthesize course concepts and demonstrate understanding by creating a comprehensive white paper on change management

Browse courses on Change Management

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Research and gather information
Develop a thesis statement
Write the body of the paper
Create a conclusion
Proofread and edit

Career center

Learners who complete Removing Barriers to Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Change Manager

The Removing Barriers to Change course would benefit Change Managers by providing them with a framework for understanding and overcoming the challenges to change. The course's REDUCE framework would help Change Managers to identify and address the specific barriers to change that they face in their work. Additionally, the course's key learning objectives would provide Change Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers would find Removing Barriers to Change to be an asset in their work. As this course aids in creating more effective change, those responsible for completing a project on time and within budget should take this course. Through the course's REDUCE framework, Project Managers can better understand the challenges of change and learn how to overcome them. In particular, the module on Overcoming Confirmation Bias and Uncertainty would be relevant to Project Managers, as it explores strategies for overcoming elements of distance and uncertainty in change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Organizational Development Specialist

Organizational Development Specialists who are looking to refine their skills in change leadership and management will find Removing Barriers to Change to be an excellent choice. The course's REDUCE framework will equip them with a structured and effective approach for managing change within organizations. Furthermore, the module on Overcoming Confirmation Bias and Uncertainty would be especially relevant to Organizational Development Specialists, as it delves into strategies for addressing resistance to change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Specialist

Product Manager

Removing Barriers to Change is an excellent resource for Product Managers who wish to become more proficient in change management. The course's REDUCE framework provides a practical approach to understanding and overcoming the challenges associated with change initiatives. Furthermore, the module on Overcoming Confirmation Bias and Uncertainty would be especially valuable to Product Managers, as it addresses the importance of gathering and utilizing data to drive change decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Scrum Master

Removing Barriers to Change is a highly recommended course for Scrum Masters seeking to enhance their skills in facilitating change within agile teams. The course's REDUCE framework provides a comprehensive approach for understanding and addressing the barriers to change in agile environments. By leveraging the principles and practices taught in this course, Scrum Masters can become more effective in guiding teams through the change process and achieving successful project outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Business Analyst

Business Analysts tasked with change management may benefit from taking Removing Barriers to Change. This course will help them better understand the challenges and techniques associated with successful change initiatives. The REDUCE framework taught in the course will provide them with a valuable structure for analyzing and addressing barriers to change, enabling them to play a more effective role in driving organizational transformation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Program Manager

Removing Barriers to Change is a valuable resource for Program Managers who wish to strengthen their ability to manage change initiatives effectively. The course's REDUCE framework provides a structured approach for understanding and overcoming the challenges associated with program implementation and change management. Additionally, the module on Overcoming Confirmation Bias and Uncertainty would be particularly relevant to Program Managers, as it emphasizes the importance of managing risks and uncertainties during change initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

UX Designer

Removing Barriers to Change can be useful for UX Designers who wish to enhance their ability to drive change through user-centered design principles. The course's REDUCE framework provides a structured approach for understanding and addressing the barriers to change in the context of user experience. By understanding the challenges and strategies presented in this course, UX Designers can become more effective in advocating for user needs and ensuring that their designs are adopted and used successfully.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Marketing Manager

Removing Barriers to Change could be beneficial for Marketing Managers who want to improve their change management skills. The course's REDUCE framework would help them identify and address the barriers to change that they face when implementing new marketing initiatives. Additionally, the course's key learning objectives would provide Marketing Managers with the knowledge and skills they need to be effective change agents in their organizations.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers can enhance their ability to influence and persuade customers and stakeholders by taking Removing Barriers to Change. This course will equip them with the REDUCE framework, a structured approach for understanding and addressing resistance to change, and provide them with the communication and negotiation skills necessary to successfully implement changes in sales strategies and processes.

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Consultant

Removing Barriers to Change teaches individuals how to create change within others and within organizations. Consultants, who strive for efficient and effective organizational change, would find this course's REDUCE framework to be transformative for their work. The course's key learning objectives would also provide Consultants with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their role. In particular, the module on Overcoming Confirmation Bias and Uncertainty would be especially relevant to Consultants, as it explores strategies for overcoming elements of distance and uncertainty in change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Human Resources Manager

Removing Barriers to Change may be helpful for Human Resources Managers who wish to enhance their understanding of how to influence and drive change within an organizational setting. This is a critical skill for HR professionals, as they are often responsible for implementing new policies and programs. The course's REDUCE framework would provide a valuable tool for identifying and addressing the barriers to change, while the key learning objectives would offer practical strategies for gaining buy-in from stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Data Analyst

Removing Barriers to Change could be useful for Data Analysts seeking to develop their change management skills. The course's REDUCE framework provides a structured approach for understanding and overcoming the challenges associated with data-driven change initiatives. Additionally, the module on Overcoming Confirmation Bias and Uncertainty would be especially relevant to Data Analysts, as it emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making in change management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Removing Barriers to Change may be helpful for Software Engineers who want to become more involved in change management processes. The course's REDUCE framework provides a comprehensive approach for understanding and overcoming the challenges associated with technological change. By leveraging the principles and practices taught in this course, Software Engineers can play a more active role in shaping and implementing successful change initiatives within their teams and organizations.

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Operations Manager

Removing Barriers to Change may be a useful resource for Operations Managers seeking to enhance their change management practices. The course's REDUCE framework provides a comprehensive approach for identifying and addressing the barriers to change within operational processes. By understanding the challenges and strategies presented in this course, Operations Managers can become more effective in driving process improvements and organizational transformation.

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Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Removing Barriers to Change.

The Warren Buffett Way, 30th Anniversary Edition

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Classic in the field of persuasion and provides a comprehensive overview of the key principles of influence. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to learn how to be more effective in persuading others.

The Warren Buffett Way, 30th Anniversary Edition...

Hardcover

The Warren Buffett Way, 30th Anniversary Edition...

Kindle Edition

From Conflict Resolution to Peacebuilding

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Explores the science of habit formation and provides practical tips on how to change bad habits and create good ones. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand how to make lasting changes in their life.

From Conflict Resolution to Peacebuilding

Kindle Edition

$$$

Problems of Living

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Examines the irrational ways that people make decisions. It fascinating read that provides insights into how to make better decisions in both our personal and professional lives.

Removing Barriers to Change

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Inspiring change: mastering the reduce framework

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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