In honour of the special session at the BIG Difference 2023 Conference, “Using Behavioural Insights to Improve How We Communicate”, enjoy this expanded Choice Reads selection that focuses on communication.
By Stephanie Wilkie
Knowledge Translation Strategist,
BC Behavioural Insights Group
With my role as knowledge translation strategist for the BC Behavioural Insights Group, I’m keenly interested in making communications that are behaviourally informed. Whether translating my team’s trial results, composing the BIG Difference BC monthly newsletter, or facilitating training, I use behavioural insights to communicate effectively. One of the best tips I’ve heard lately is from Todd Rogers (co-author of Writing for Busy Readers):
“Make [your writing] easy for the reader because it’s more effective, it’s kinder, it’s more inclusive. So, when we are writing, write to clarify thinking, write to convey all the key info we want, and then have a final round of edits where we’re like, ‘How do I make it easier for the reader?’” (source)
Communicating is what we all do nearly 24/7 without even noticing. How we communicate is not only a tool but also our interface with the world outside of our heads. With communicating being such a fundamental human behaviour, you can bet many behavioural insights experts have focused on it. That focus has resulted in a slew of insights about how human brains understand and are motivated to take action.
Below is a selection of the resources I’ve found I regularly refer back to in my work. I hope that they can also help you optimize your communications in a variety of mediums!
Toolkits and Guides
Local Government Association UK: Response: A Behavioural Insights Checklist for Designing Effective Communications
Government of the United Kingdom: Strategic Communications: A Behavioural Insights Approach
NSW Behavioural Insights Unit: Reducing Sludge in Letters and Email (additional excellent options: “Reducing Sludge in Forms”, “Reducing Sludge on Websites”)
Center for Applied Behavioral Science at MDRC: Effective Communications Checklist
Books
Writing for Busy Readers: Communicate More Effectively in the Real World by Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink
You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters by Vanessa Bohns
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Studies and Articles
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: Misinformation and Disinformation: An International Effort Using Behavioural Science to Tackle the Spread of Misinformation
Harvard Kennedy School Faculty Research: The Formality Effect
Behavioral Scientist: When Writing for Busy Readers, Less is More
Podcasts
Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Power of No: How Boundaries Help Us Live More Empowered Lives
Behavioral Grooves: How to Communicate in a Crisis
Hidden Brain: Mind Reading 2.0: Why Conversations Go Wrong
No Stupid Questions: How Can You Be a Better Communicator
Big Brains: Magic Words: Can What You Say Help You Get Your Way?