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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
  1. All
  2. Healthcare
  3. Motivational Interviewing

You're facing a team member resistant to change. Can motivational interviewing turn things around?

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversation style for strengthening motivation and commitment to change. Here’s how you can use MI to address resistance:

  • Express empathy: Understand and validate their feelings to build trust.

  • Develop discrepancy: Help them see the gap between their current state and their goals.

  • Support self-efficacy: Encourage belief in their ability to change by highlighting past successes.

Have you tried motivational interviewing techniques? Share your experiences.

Motivational Interviewing Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing

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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
  1. All
  2. Healthcare
  3. Motivational Interviewing

You're facing a team member resistant to change. Can motivational interviewing turn things around?

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversation style for strengthening motivation and commitment to change. Here’s how you can use MI to address resistance:

  • Express empathy: Understand and validate their feelings to build trust.

  • Develop discrepancy: Help them see the gap between their current state and their goals.

  • Support self-efficacy: Encourage belief in their ability to change by highlighting past successes.

Have you tried motivational interviewing techniques? Share your experiences.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
55 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dr Prasanta Kumar Padhi

    Principal @ Higher Education Govt of Odisha | PhD, HR, Writing, Author of 8 books, Academic Mentor and Writer, Creative writer, Journalism, Linkedin Top Voice Translator

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    Motivational interviewing (MI) helps navigate resistance by fostering a supportive and non-judgmental dialogue. Expressing empathy builds trust, making individuals feel heard and understood. Developing discrepancy gently highlights the contrast between their current situation and desired outcomes, sparking self-reflection. Supporting self-efficacy reinforces their confidence by reminding them of past successes and strengths. By guiding rather than directing, MI empowers individuals to take ownership of their decisions. Have you used MI techniques to encourage change? Share your insights and experiences.

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    22
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    Akshat Doshi

    "Master’s in Supply Chain Analytics | Commerce Graduate | Former Product Manager | Experienced in Manufacturing, Operations & Strategic Supply Chain Management"

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    Motivational Interviewing (MI) isn’t just about overcoming resistance—it’s about unlocking potential. When a team member resists change, pushing harder only builds more resistance. Instead, empathy opens the door, showing them that their concerns are heard and valued. Developing discrepancy helps them see the gap between where they are and where they want to be, making change feel like their choice, not an obligation. And when we reinforce their strengths and past successes, we transform doubt into confidence. Change isn’t about convincing—it’s about inspiring. MI turns resistance into momentum, leading to real, lasting transformation.

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    8
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    Aman Kaur

    Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor

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    One thing I’ve found helpful is to approach with curiosity knowing that the current behaviour is serving a purpose for the other person. If I explore with the other person the behaviour and with the optimism that change is possible, the other person may also start to see the changeable behaviour.

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    5
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    Sarah Payne, PharmD, MBA

    Pharmacy Manager @ CVS Health | MBA in Marketing

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    It depends. Motivational interviewing can be an effective tool to illicit change through identifying intrinsic motivating factors which resonate with the employee. The most important part is the timing of the delivery of motivational interviewing. When an employee is still open to changing or open to engaging with the organization, motivational interviewing works phenomenally. Unfortunately, there are many times when managers out off dealing with poor performing employees because they dislike difficult conversations or do not feel like there is the time. The employee checks out completely and even motivational interviewing won’t work. It’s best if leaders consistently have conversations with employees about what drives their performance.

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    3
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    Amy OQuinn

    Behavioral Health Care Manager @ Breton Ability Centre | Behavioral Health Care

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    Motivational Interveiwing may be effective or may not be. If the person's values and beliefs do not align with the change it is usually ineffective, education and time may allow one to slowly accept and adapt to change with ongoing empowerment in this case. If the change hesitancy is due to confidence and fear I find MI can be extremly effective.

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    3
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    Petra Lansdown

    Counsellor

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    Yes, motivational interviewing (MI) can be very effective. By focusing on helping clients explore their own reasons for change, MI fosters a sense of ownership over the process. It works by engaging individuals in a non-confrontational, empathetic manner, which encourages them to articulate their own motivations for change. This makes it more likely that they will take action because it’s coming from within, rather than being externally imposed.

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    2
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    Hasnain Hyder

    Clinical Psychologist, Drug Demand Reduction Professional Member of (ISSUP), Drug Abuse Counsellor, Behavior Therapist, Psycholgical First Aid Officer, and ICAP-1

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    Yes offourse it helps to set a ground that client can open up. Moreover MI is also helpful to make rapport building and change talk, so it is very much helpful.

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    1
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    Maneesh Mohanan

    CEO at Mediquity Technologies Private Limited | Transforming Healthcare Through Innovation | Talks about #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareManagement #Diagnostics

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    Yes! Motivational Interviewing helps turn resistance into openness by listening, asking the right questions, and understanding concerns. Instead of pushing change, guide them to see the benefits for themselves. When people feel heard, they’re more open to change!

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    1
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    Said Al Jabri 🏆

    🔶 Career Coach | CV & LinkedIn Optimization | Contract, Logistics and Supply Chain Trainer | Digital Promotions via LinkedIn | +40K Network | Helping Professionals Stand Out

    • Report contribution

    Motivational Interviewing (MI) transforms resistance into engagement by fostering an open, supportive dialogue. Empathy builds trust, making individuals feel truly heard, while highlighting discrepancies between their current state and aspirations sparks self-reflection. By reinforcing self-efficacy, MI empowers individuals to recognize their strengths and past successes, fueling confidence in their ability to change. Rather than directing, it serves as a guiding framework, enabling individuals to take ownership of their decisions. 💡 Have you leveraged MI techniques to inspire transformation? Let’s discuss! 👇 #MotivationalInterviewing #Empowerment #BehaviorChange #Leadership #Coaching

    Like
    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Said Al Jabri 🏆

    🔶 Career Coach | CV & LinkedIn Optimization | Contract, Logistics and Supply Chain Trainer | Digital Promotions via LinkedIn | +40K Network | Helping Professionals Stand Out

    • Report contribution

    Motivational Interviewing (MI) transforms resistance into opportunity through empathetic and collaborative dialogue. By fostering a judgment-free space, individuals feel truly heard and valued, strengthening trust. Highlighting the gap between their current state and aspirations encourages self-reflection, while reinforcing self-efficacy boosts their confidence by reminding them of their strengths and past successes. Rather than imposing solutions, MI guides individuals toward their path, empowering them to take meaningful action. How have you leveraged MI techniques to inspire change? Share your experiences!

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