Can you change unfavourable employee attitudes? Sometimes! It depends on who you are, the strength of the employee’s attitude, the magnitude of the change, and the technique you choose to try to change the attitude. People are most likely to respond to changes suggested by someone who is liked, credible, and convincing. If people like you, they are more apt to identify and adopt your message. Credibility implies trust, expertise, and objectivity. So you are more likely to change someone’s attitude if that person views you as believable, knowledgeable about what you’re saying, and unbiased in your presentation. Finally, successful attitude change is enhanced when you present your arguments clearly and persuasively. It’s easier to change a person’s attitude if he or she is not strongly committed to it. Conversely, the stronger the belief in the attitude, the harder it is to change it. Also, attitudes that have been expressed publicly are more difficult to change because doing so requires admitting having made a mistake. It’s also easier to change attitudes when the change required is not very significant. To get a person to accept a new attitude that varies greatly from his or her current position requires more effort. It may also threaten other deeply held attitudes. All attitude-change techniques are not equally effective across situations. Oral persuasion techniques are most effective when you use a positive, tactful tone; present strong evidence to support your position; tailor your argument to the listener; use logic; and support your evidence by appealing to the person’s fears, frustrations, and other emotions. But people are more likely to embrace change when they can experience it. The use of training sessions where employees share and personalize experiences, and practise new behaviours, can be powerful stimulants for change. Consistent with self-perception theory, changes in behaviour can lead to changes in attitudes.

Questions 

1. Were you successful in changing the other person’s attitude? Why or why not? 

2. Was the other person successful in changing your attitude? Why or why not? 

3. What conclusions can you draw about changing the attitudes of yourself and others?