(MUSIC? It's an acronym to make leading change easier.)

Do you have team members with inefficient work habits?

Maybe they are not handling their workload and workflow as well as they need to. You know that unless they start doing things differently, they will continue to be overwhelmed and behind in their work.

So you know the problem. How do you encourage them to change?

If you try to get your team members to change all their behaviours, all at once, they will end up feeling incompetent and this will decrease their motivation to change their habits.

If you help them take small steps successfully, they will feel competent. The more they feel competent, the more motivated they will be to continue changing their habits.

You can do that by helping them develop ongoing micro-projects for themselves.

First, explore with each team member specific changes they could take to improve the way they handle their workflow and workload.

Then ask them to choose just one idea to start with and turn that idea into a micro-project using the MUSIC tool.

Measurable

Make sure that there is a clear way for them to acknowledge progress and achievement of the micro-project. Identify specific ways for them to know when or how much of the micro-project has been completed.

Useful

Make sure that completing the micro-project will make a difference—that what they do will be appreciated by or add value for someone in some way.

Small

Make sure the micro-project addresses one small improvement. Break tasks down into small, doable actions and make each action a separate micro-project. We are aiming for many improvements, not grand plans.

Immediate

Make sure they can put their micro-project into action straight away and quickly achieve it. We are aiming for points on the board early to create momentum.

Committed

Make sure that the team members select micro-projects that they are prepared to commit to—that they will take responsibility for putting them into action and make themselves accountable for the results.

Once each team member has a micro-project in place make sure you support them and acknowledge success as they make progress.

Continue to help team members create new micro-projects as each one is achieved. As you keep using MUSIC to create momentum and progress, you will begin to see your team getting into a rhythm with their workload and workflow.