Removing Barriers to Change from Coursera

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

Module 2 - Removing Reactance and Endowment

In this module, you’ll examine why warnings backfire, and learn how to ease the Endowment Effect to accomplish your goals. By analyzing the case studies of Procter & Gamble’s Tide Pods and the Arden House Experiments, you’ll be able to identify the process in which warnings become recommendations and the importance of agency and control for people. You’ll learn about successful strategies that allow for more agency in change — and through analyzing real-life examples, you'll discover how easing the Endowment Effect will help others let go of the attachment to the status quo. By the end of this module, you’ll learn effective strategies for surfacing the cost of inaction and framing new things as old, plus you'll be able to encourage others to change with more agency.

Module 3 - Overcoming Confirmation Bias and Uncertainty

This module was designed to help you analyze the elements of distance and uncertainty in barriers to change and how to overcome them. By discussing examples of political polarization and Confirmation Bias, you’ll distinguish between the zone of acceptance and region of rejection, and assess strategies such as finding the movable middle and finding an unsticking point. You’ll explore the cost of uncertainty and analyze the strategies of Zappos, Acura, and Kia to evaluate best practices on lowering upfront costs. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to employ a toolbox of approaches to overcome elements of distance and uncertainty in change, and be prepared to bring the right persuasive skills to any situation.

Module 4 - The Importance of Corroborating Evidence

In this module, you’ll examine the importance of corroborating evidence and choosing the right strategy for different segments of people and businesses. By looking at examples of the translation problem, you’ll gain a better understanding of the need for more proof and how concentration increases impact. Through the analogy of the sprinkler and fire hose strategies, you’ll discuss how to find the right balance of methods and where to spend your resources, depending on how strong the attitude for change is in a given group of individuals. By the end of this module, you’ll have a deeper understanding of all of the elements of barriers to change, plus you'll be able to strategize on how to best mitigate them to allow for greater changes within yourself and your organization.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

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

Reviews summary

Effective change management

Learners say this highly rated course provides practical strategies for understanding and breaking down barriers to change. Instructor Jonah Berger presents science-based concepts using engaging examples, making the course easy to follow and actionable. It's well-suited for anyone looking to promote change in their personal or professional lives.

Backed by scientific research and real-world examples

"Scientific studies to backup up material presented."

"Interesting video examples."

"The strategies provided in this course can be adopted in one's personal and professional life, not matter their status or industry."

Led by Professor Jonah Berger, an expert in change management

"Jonah Berger is an amazing instructor."

"Prof Jonah Berger is an amazing instructor."

"This was the best course I took from Coursera."

Provides a step-by-step framework called REDUCE

"an absolute must! concise, yet powerful."

"The framework presented is clear, simple, and incredibly useful."

"This Wharton course is so compelling that it can serve much beyond a marketing context."

Well-explained concepts and relatable examples

"Excellent and fun course - Professor Jonah Berger is both engaging and clear."

"Really liked the accessibility of the course."

"I really liked the course and it gave me some good new input how to approach change."

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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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.

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