Course content

How are new behaviors learned? How much of what we do on a daily basis is the result of previously learned habits? How much (or how little) control do we have over our behavior, and what can we do to gain control? The answers to these questions help participants to understand how behavior and habits work, and how they can bring about their desired change. Furthermore, we will address the topics of work identity and culture, in order to place behavior change in the bigger picture of the job, team, and organization. What defines ‘who we are’ at work? What are the tasks, values, and behaviors that make up our work identity? How does the social culture at the job shape our beliefs about how we should work? How do we define the behaviors that are essential steps towards becoming the person we genuinely want to be at work? How do we set up a (collective) environment that supports us to take a step towards healthy work-life each day? The answers to these questions will help participants understand how behaviors, work identity, and work culture are interlinked, and how to align them so healthy changes will last.

In summary, this course addresses the general question of how to effectively change behavior at work, providing insight into learning, habits, identity, group processes, and work culture, and how to shape the physical and social environment to optimize healthy work behaviors. The course is based on research on behavioral change and provides individual exercises on these topics.

Learning objectives

By the end of the course participants are able to

• (Re)frame their work identity as a variety of different behaviors and values.
• Understand what type of (healthy) behaviors will enforce their aspired identity, and will ultimately lead to better results.
• Reward themselves for behaviors instead of for results.
• Design their environment in such a way that their key behaviors become easy, and success is maximized.
• Understand how to wire these behaviors into lasting habits.
• Implement this method on any new type of habit they wish to develop in the future.
• Create habit structures in the larger team, and see which changes in the work environment are essential for the team and its individual workers to work in a healthy, productive way.

Teaching method

The course program alternates between theory and practice and is based on personal learning objectives from participants. Between the sessions, participants are invited to put the learnings into practice within their own working environment.

This course aims to provide a group culture where participants are not only working on their individual habits, but also support each other on their quest to build better and healthier work behaviors.

During four online or offline sessions, participants will explore the content under guidance of Dr. Inge Wolsink, behavioral scientist, organizational psychologist, trainer, and coach. Theoretical background and exercises will be provided during these sessions, as well as in short audio form so participants can listen to the content before or after the sessions, and will have access to the course material for as long as they need.

In between sessions, participants will be invited to practice and apply their habit plans in their (work) life through assignments which will be provided in audio and text format. Progress on their personalized habit plan will be discussed in the following session and in their individual coaching session.