Resources: Positive Difference*

*Also called “Positive Deviance.” A few curated resources in English on Social and Behaviour Change (SBC). These resources complement our “Intro Guide to Social and Behaviour Change.” For the SBC Intro Guide in French, Portuguese and Spanish click here. Positive Difference resources in French can be found here.

1. Adaptable Pocket Guide on Positive Difference. A great approach with a challenging name. Build on what is already there and already working. (Note: This approach is originally called call it “Positive Deviance.” We share both names so you can Google and find all the good stuff.)
2. Positive Deviance Wisdom Series. (University of Texas El Paso/UTEP) — A collection of cases (8–12 pages each) with examples of Positive Deviance being used in multiple contexts.
3. Positive Deviance Field Guide. This is a 17-page resource developed by the co-founders of the positive deviance approach, the “Positive Deviance Collaborative” (formerly based at Tufts University). Highlights: The simple tips for facilitators (p.11) and for asking questions (p.12).
4. Your Company’s Secret Change Agents. Harvard Business Review — This 9-page article introduces a Positive Deviance model comprised of six steps. Check the ingredients for PD’s (Page 3, with excerpt below).
5. Short video on Positive Deviance (2 minutes, Monique Sternin)
6. Tips on facilitating the Positive Deviance process (Courtesy of the Positive Deviance Collaborative).
7. Positive Deviance Handbook (30 pages, GIZ Deep Dive Series, Social and Behaviour Change, 2023).

Image source: Pascal & Sternin (2025), Harvard Business Review

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