Whether the new behavior needs to be practiced, repeated, incorporated into other behaviors, or stands alone, it has to be reinforced in order to stick. The manager’s role includes providing reinforcement so that people who have made the change continue to see its application and value.

Success of change related programs relies heavily on reinforcement of the new behavior, and many changes require more reinforcement than you may think. Success in weight loss programs, for example, is often measured in terms of pounds or inches lost. But the reinforcement does not always come from losing the weight. (If it were that simple, we would all be an ideal weight!) Instead, the reinforcement comes from the frequent meetings, support from a group leader and members of a group, and sometimes even a weekly fee that must be paid whether you attend your regularly scheduled meeting or not.