19 things that don't change thinking

In my last post I spoke about the importance of thinking when it comes to improving work, and some of the mistakes I've made.

Here's a list of things that don't change thinking about management and work.  How do I know?  Because I've tried them all! 

1. Passionate speeches
2. Slick and well rehearsed presentations
3. Cool looking slide decks
4. Sending videos of other people talking
5. Case studies
6. Referring to academic research
7. Meetings.  Definitely not meetings
8. Finding examples of other people or organisations who've done things differently
9. Strategically placed posters
10. Asking the boss to insist certain people attend a meeting or workshop with you
11. Process improvement workshops
12. Lots of data – presented using charts that look simply magnificent
13. Clever comebacks during a heated discussion
14. Designing and delivering training sessions
15. Telling stories that take the listener on a hero's journey with obstacles to overcome along the way, and an ultimate triumph
16. Recommending books – or a chapter or even a passage in a book
17. Re-writing an organisational policy or procedure
18. Writing a blog post!
19. Attempting to know all the answers

These don't work as they are attempts at rational change.  What does work?  I'll discuss some possible first steps towards doing this in my next post.

How about you?  What attempts have you made to change thinking?  What worked and didn't work?  Feel free to comment below, or share this with someone who could be curious.