Driving Change

The article uses the experience of driving in Ireland to show how change management works in practice. It argues that change is easier when it starts small, is communicated often, is learned by following people who already adapted, and is repeated until it becomes the new default.

Reading notes

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• Switching from driving on the right to driving on the left felt difficult at first, but an automatic car made the first attempt easier.
• The article recommends introducing change in small steps instead of changing everything at once, like starting with one part of a technology stack.
• Reminders were everywhere in Dublin, from stickers on the windscreen to signs on the road, which made the new rule easier to remember.
• Following other cars on complicated crossings helped, and the author suggests using people who have already made the change as a guide.
• After a few hours, the new driving pattern started to feel normal, but the first moments of a new day or a long break still required attention.
• The author says change should be repeated until it becomes the default behavior.