Change the System from Within: Turn Wasted Motivation into Leverage Points

We all possess the desire to change the system in some form or another. What we often don’t realize is that it is a skill that involves identifying patterns of behavior within systemic structures and using them as leverage points for change.

In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, the #1 New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath joins host Matt Abrahams to talk about what it requires to bring about systemic change. Dan Heath has authored (or co-authored) five amazing business books: Switch, Made to Stick, Decisive, The Power of Moments, and Upstream. His latest book, Reset, which debuted in January 2025, talks about strategies for leaders to fix systems that hold them back. His books have been translated into 35 languages and have sold over 4 million copies worldwide.

Dan also hosts a Top 5 Apple Careers podcast called: “What It’s Like to Be…” where he interviews people from different professions.

In the episode, Matt and Dan discuss:
1. The power of storytelling: Changing your mindset by focusing on the positive
2. Finding leverage points for change: Utilizing the latent desire to change within everyone
3. Using wasted potential: Small things that can break old patterns of behaviour
4. Conveying progress: Motivating people toward big changes
5. Dan's advice for good communication

We hope that this episode brings about a positive change in your life, mindset, and communication.

Key Quotes
• “You go to the movie to see a visual story, and when the protagonist is in trouble, your pulse quickens, right, which is just a fundamentally weird thing. That's the power of simulation.” - Dan Heath (03:03)
• “It's like we treat success with a kind of relief.” - Dan Heath (04:54)
• “I think the most important fuel for any change effort is motivation. The entire change war will be fought on the battlefield of motivation.” - Dan Heath (10:26)
• “The engine of change is progress. And progress changes minds.” - Dan Heath (13:33)

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:08 Storytelling The Right Way
05:19 Leverage Points for Change
09:05 Wasted Motivation & Latent Desire To Change Systems
14:18 Communicating Progress
17:55 Matt Abraham's 3 Questions
24:23 Conclusion

Relevant Links:
Dan Heath (https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/dan-heath/)
Dan’s Book: Reset: How to Change What's Not Working (https://geni.us/LXKU?redirect_from=podpage)
Episode Transcript: 190. Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already Want (https://www.fastersmarter.io/190-motivation-matters-how-to-leverage-what-people-already-want/)
Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning: (http://fastersmarter.io/)

Episode References:
49. Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/49-make-numbers-count-how-to-communicate-data-effectively/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HL1JqtYPS4
164. Rethinks: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence Others
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/164-best-of-using-pre-suasion-to-influence-others/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwOXj0ik3QY

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Matt Abrahams on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams//maabrahams)