Change and Happiness: A Package Deal

Chip and Dan Heath’s book Switch reminds us that change is never just logical. It’s the battle between the Rider (logic), the Elephant (emotion), and the Path (environment). If you want real change, you can’t just explain why it makes sense, you need to motivate the Elephant and clear the Path so the journey feels possible.

Jurgen Appelo’s Managing for Happiness takes a similar truth and brings it into the workplace. People don’t thrive because you hand them a process document. They thrive when the workplace sparks energy, fosters connection, and gives them ownership of how they work. Happiness isn’t just a “perk.” It’s a design choice. A powerful choice that helps clears the Path for better performance and sustained change.

Put these two together and you get a powerful leadership lesson: lasting change happens when you design both the rational story and the emotional experience. If your Rider has a map but your Elephant is tired, change stalls. If your Elephant is inspired but the Path is blocked, change falters. The magic is aligning all three: Clear Direction, Energized People, and An Environment That Supports Them.

So, here’s my question for you:
When you lead change, do you focus more on Telling The Rider where to go, Motivating The Elephant to want to go, or Clearing The Path so both can get there?