Personal Growth

Unlock the Power to Change Others

The art of helping people change

Bill Abbate
ILLUMINATION
Published in
5 min readDec 5, 2024

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Photo by @jcomp from Freepik

You can’t make someone change.” We’ve all heard it, yet we keep trying — and failing. Direct efforts only bring frustration and disappointment. Instead of trying to force someone to change, why not become the reason they change? The key lies in a subtle yet powerful approach that actually works. Let’s explore this transformative strategy.

Causing instead of forcing change

Making someone change might feel impossible, but causing them to change is well within your grasp. The key lies in changing yourself first. By altering your mindset and behaviors, you create an environment where others are naturally inspired to change themselves. This method not only works — it often results in deeper, more lasting transformations in the people around you.

Instead of forcing change, inspire it. The shift from trying to make someone change to helping them change transforms the equation entirely. This approach relies on indirect influence, which works where direct force fails.

Direct vs. indirect influence and the secret

At the heart of this method is the difference between direct and indirect influence. Where direct

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ILLUMINATION
ILLUMINATION

Published in ILLUMINATION

We curate and disseminate outstanding articles from diverse domains and disciplines to create fusion and synergy.

Bill Abbate
Bill Abbate

Written by Bill Abbate

Leadership Writer and Editor in ILLUMINATION, Leadership/Executive Coach, Author www.BillAbbate.com

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