Book: Talk to the Elephant by Julie Dirksen

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Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change by Julie Dirksen

In Talk to the Elephant, Julie Dirksen tackles one of the biggest challenges in workplace learning: translating knowledge into real, lasting behavior change. Drawing from behavioral science, cognitive psychology, and instructional design, she explores why traditional training often falls short when it comes to changing habits and improving workplace performance. Through engaging examples and evidence-backed strategies, Dirksen provides a roadmap for learning professionals to create interventions that address motivation, environment, and cognitive biases—helping learners make meaningful, sustained changes.

Julie Dirksen is a recognized thought leader in instructional design, specializing in the intersection of learning science and behavior change. With over 15 years of experience designing digital and in-person learning experiences, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and educational organizations. As the author of the bestselling Design for How People Learn, Dirksen has built a reputation for making complex learning principles practical and actionable. She is also the founder of Usable Learning, where she consults on designing learning solutions that drive real-world results.

Workplace learning professionals will find this book invaluable for crafting learning experiences that go beyond knowledge transfer and focus on real behavior change. Whether designing training programs, leadership development initiatives, or performance support tools, readers will gain insights into applying behavioral science principles to create learning solutions that lead to measurable, lasting impact in the workplace.

Book: The Catalyst by Jonah Berger

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The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind by Jonah Berger

In The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind, Jonah Berger explores the art and science of facilitating change. He posits that the key to effective persuasion lies not in pushing harder but in identifying and removing the barriers that prevent change. Berger introduces the REDUCE framework, outlining five factors—Reactance, Endowment, Distance, Uncertainty, and Corroborating Evidence—that impede change. Through compelling narratives and research-backed insights, he demonstrates how understanding and mitigating these obstacles can lead to successful transformations in various contexts, from business to personal relationships.

Jonah Berger is a marketing professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a renowned expert in social influence and consumer behavior. He has authored multiple bestselling books, including Contagious: Why Things Catch On and Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior. Berger’s research has been featured in top-tier academic journals and major media outlets, and he frequently consults for organizations like Google, Facebook, and the Gates Foundation.

For workplace learning professionals, The Catalyst offers actionable strategies to overcome resistance to change within organizations. By applying the REDUCE framework, trainers and instructional designers can identify the psychological barriers that hinder learning and development initiatives. This understanding enables the creation of more effective programs that facilitate employee engagement, adaptability, and growth.

Book: Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein

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Nudge: The Final Edition by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein

In Nudge: The Final Edition, Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein expand upon their groundbreaking work in behavioral economics, exploring how subtle changes in choice architecture can significantly influence decision-making. This updated edition addresses contemporary issues such as COVID-19, personal finance, climate change, and the concept of “sludge”—unnecessary frictions that hinder beneficial choices. The authors advocate for “libertarian paternalism,” suggesting that well-designed nudges can guide individuals toward better decisions without restricting freedom of choice. Through a blend of research and practical examples, they demonstrate how thoughtful design can improve outcomes in various aspects of life.

Richard H. Thaler is a Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences and a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His pioneering work in behavioral economics has reshaped understanding of human decision-making. Cass R. Sunstein is a distinguished legal scholar and professor at Harvard Law School, known for his contributions to behavioral economics and public policy. Together, they have significantly influenced both academic thought and practical applications in policy and business.

For workplace learning professionals, Nudge: The Final Edition offers valuable insights into designing environments that facilitate better decision-making among employees. By understanding and applying principles of choice architecture, trainers and organizational leaders can create systems that encourage desirable behaviors, enhance productivity, and improve overall organizational effectiveness.

Book: The Human Element by Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal

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The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas by Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal

In The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas, Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal explore the often-overlooked psychological barriers that hinder the adoption of innovations. They introduce the concept of “Friction,” identifying four key types: Inertia, Effort, Emotion, and Reactance. By understanding and addressing these frictions, innovators can more effectively facilitate change and ensure their ideas gain acceptance. The authors provide practical strategies to identify and mitigate these resistances, emphasizing that reducing friction is as crucial as adding fuel to drive innovation forward.

Loran Nordgren is a professor of management and organizations at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. His research focuses on the psychological processes that influence the adoption of new ideas and behaviors. Nordgren has received numerous awards for his work, including the Theoretical Innovation Award from the Society of Personality and Social Psychology. He is also the founder of Candor, a software company dedicated to promoting bias-free collaboration and feedback.

David Schonthal is a clinical professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at Kellogg School of Management. With over a decade of experience at the design firm IDEO, he has been instrumental in launching more than 200 new products and services globally. Schonthal also serves as an operating partner at 7Wire Ventures, a healthcare technology-focused venture capital firm, and is a contributing writer to publications such as Forbes, Inc., and Fortune.

For workplace learning professionals, The Human Element offers valuable insights into the psychological resistances that can impede the adoption of new training programs and initiatives. By recognizing and addressing these frictions, trainers and instructional designers can develop more effective strategies to facilitate change, enhance learner engagement, and ensure the successful implementation of new ideas within organizations.

Book: Change by Damon Centola

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Change: How to Make Big Things Happen by Damon Centola

In Change: How to Make Big Things Happen, Damon Centola delves into the science behind how behaviors, beliefs, and ideas spread within social networks. Challenging traditional notions that emphasize the role of influential individuals, Centola introduces the concept of “complex contagions,” where widespread change requires reinforcement from multiple sources within a network. He illustrates how the structure and dynamics of social networks can either facilitate or hinder the adoption of new behaviors and norms. Through empirical research and real-world examples, Centola provides insights into effectively initiating and managing large-scale social change.

Damon Centola is the Elihu Katz Professor of Communication, Sociology, and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the Network Dynamics Group. His research focuses on social networks and behavior change, encompassing areas such as social epidemiology, the diffusion of innovations, and the mobilization of social movements. Centola’s work has been published in leading scientific journals and featured in major media outlets, highlighting his contributions to understanding the mechanisms of social change.

For workplace learning professionals, Change offers impactful findings into how ideas and behaviors spread within organizational networks. Understanding the principles of complex contagions can inform the design of interventions that encourage the adoption of new practices and cultural norms. By leveraging the structure of social networks, professionals can more effectively promote learning initiatives and drive meaningful change within their organizations.

Book: You’re About to Make a Terrible Mistake! by Oliver Sibony

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You’re About to Make a Terrible Mistake!: How Biases Distort Decision-Making and What You Can Do to Fight Them by Olivier Sibony

In You’re About to Make a Terrible Mistake!, Olivier Sibony delves into the pervasive impact of cognitive biases on strategic decision-making within organizations. Drawing from extensive research in behavioral economics and cognitive psychology, Sibony identifies nine common decision-making traps that even seasoned leaders often encounter. Through engaging case studies, he illustrates how these biases can lead to suboptimal outcomes and offers practical tools to mitigate their effects. The book emphasizes the importance of implementing effective decision-making architectures that leverage collective intelligence, ultimately guiding leaders toward more rational and effective choices.

Olivier Sibony is a professor of strategy and management at HEC Paris and an associate fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. With over 25 years of experience as a consultant and partner at McKinsey & Company, his expertise lies in strategic decision-making and the reduction of cognitive biases in organizational contexts. Sibony has co-authored several influential works, including Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment with Daniel Kahneman and Cass R. Sunstein, further establishing his authority in the field of behavioral strategy.

For workplace learning professionals, You’re About to Make a Terrible Mistake! offers effective guidance into recognizing and countering cognitive biases that can impede effective decision-making. By understanding these biases, trainers and organizational leaders can design interventions that promote critical thinking and foster a culture of informed decision-making. Sibony’s practical frameworks serve as valuable resources for enhancing leadership development programs and improving overall organizational performance.

Book: Teams That Work by Scott Tannenbaum and Eduardo Salas

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Teams That Work: The Seven Drivers of Team Effectiveness by Scott Tannenbaum and Eduardo Salas

In Teams That Work: The Seven Drivers of Team Effectiveness, Scott Tannenbaum and Eduardo Salas present a comprehensive guide to building and sustaining high-performing teams. Drawing from extensive research and practical experience, the authors identify seven key drivers that consistently influence team success: Capability, Cooperation, Coordination, Communication, Cognition, Coaching, and Conditions. Each driver is explored in depth, providing practical recommendations and strategies for leaders and team members to enhance performance, foster resilience, and maintain vitality within their teams. The book dispels common myths about teamwork and offers evidence-based recommendations applicable across various industries and team structures.

Scott Tannenbaum is the President of the Group for Organizational Effectiveness, Inc., and Eduardo Salas serves as a professor and department chair at Rice University’s Department of Psychological Sciences. Together, they have collaborated for over 30 years, supporting more than 600 organizations globally, including over one-third of the Fortune 100. Their work spans diverse settings, from corporate leadership teams to military units and healthcare teams. Collectively, they have published over 600 articles and book chapters, with their research being cited more than 100,000 times. Both have been recognized as Fellows in several prestigious psychological societies, underscoring their significant contributions to the field of team and organizational effectiveness.

For workplace learning professionals, Teams That Work offers a wealth of actionable strategies to enhance team dynamics and performance. By understanding and applying the seven drivers of team effectiveness, practitioners can design targeted interventions that address specific team challenges, promote effective collaboration, and create conditions conducive to continuous learning and development. The evidence-based insights provided in this book serve as a valuable resource for those aiming to cultivate high-performing teams within their organizations.

Book: The Friction Project by Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao

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The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder by Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao

In The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder, Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao explore the concept of organizational friction—the forces that impede or facilitate progress within teams and companies. Drawing from seven years of research, they introduce the idea of “friction fixers,” leaders who adeptly identify and manage both detrimental and beneficial friction. The book provides practical tools, such as “friction forensics” to diagnose issues and a “help pyramid” to guide interventions, aiming to help organizations enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and improve employee well-being.

Robert I. Sutton is a professor of management science at Stanford University, specializing in organizational behavior and evidence-based management. He has authored several influential books, including The No Asshole Rule and Good Boss, Bad Boss, which have been widely acclaimed for their insights into workplace dynamics. Huggy Rao is a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, focusing on organizational change and scaling. Together, they previously co-authored Scaling Up Excellence, a comprehensive guide on expanding organizational success.

For workplace learning professionals, The Friction Project offers actionable strategies to identify and manage friction within organizations. By understanding the balance between reducing harmful friction and introducing beneficial friction, trainers and instructional designers can create more effective learning environments. The concepts presented can aid in streamlining processes, enhancing collaboration, and fostering a culture that supports continuous improvement and innovation.

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