Have you ever found yourself doing something that totally clashed with your values? Maybe you snapped at a sweet old patient who just wanted to chat. Or maybe you drive your gas-guzzling car to work every day, fully aware it’s not helping the planet. I’m certainly guilty of these.
But today I want to talk about composting.
When I lived in Minneapolis, I composted daily for years. The city’s composting program made it effortless. I had a small bin by the sink, a green curbside bin for collection, and a weekly pickup in front of my house.
But when I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, composting required buying a large drum, managing it manually, and using the compost in a garden I didn’t have.
The barriers were high, and the incentives were low. So, I tossed my banana peels into the trash, feeling the friction between my values and my actions.
When I reflected on this misalignment, it was clear: the issue wasn’t my commitment to composting—it was the environment I was operating in. The question wasn’t why didn’t I do the right thing? -- but rather what’s standing in the way? And to take it a step further... How can we redesign the environment to make the 'right choice'.... easy?
The Gap Between Values and Behavior
The gap between what we believe and how we act often boils down to the systems and processes we navigate every day. When those systems create barriers, even the best intentions can falter.
Think of your daily routines, workplace processes, or even broader societal systems. How many of these make it harder for you to act in line with your values? For healthcare workers, this might mean wanting to provide exceptional care but being hindered by staffing shortages or clunky workflows.
The result? Frustration and a sense of moral conflict.
The Design Question: How Can You Make It Easy?
Here’s the real question: How do we make it ridiculously easy to do the right thing? As a nurse leader, this question became central to my approach.
We know most healthcare workers want to provide excellent care. If that’s not happening, it’s rarely because they don’t care. More often, it’s because something is in their way. Leaders at all levels—from charge nurses to directors—can remove those barriers by:
Streamlining workflows to reduce unnecessary steps.
Ensuring staff have the resources they need to succeed.
Building systems that prioritize patient and staff well-being.
The same principle applies outside of healthcare. Whether you’re trying to establish a new habit or foster change in your organization, removing barriers can pave the way for alignment between values and actions.
Systems Thinking in Action
Systems thinking helps us get to the root of these barriers. By seeing challenges as part of a bigger picture, you can:
Identify the root causes of misaligned behavior.
Design processes that support values-based actions.
Create environments that encourage positive change.
For example, consider a healthcare team struggling with hand hygiene compliance. Instead of blaming individuals, a systems-thinking approach might examine the placement of hand sanitizer dispensers or the workflow’s time constraints. Adjusting these elements makes it easier for staff to do what they already know is right.
Reflective Prompts
To apply these ideas to your own life or work, take a moment to reflect:
What values are important to me that I struggle to act on?
What barriers in my environment prevent me from aligning my actions with my values?
How can I design systems that make it easier for myself or others to succeed?
These questions can help you uncover misalignments and identify opportunities for improvement.
Take the Next Step.
Living in line with your values doesn’t just feel better—it creates systems that work for everyone around you too.
If this blog resonated with you, I encourage you to check out the Nursing the System Podcast, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, where this post originated. Dive deeper into systems thinking and learn practical strategies for changemaking.
For weekly tips and insights, don’t forget to sign up for Systems Sunday Email List. It is your go-to resource for removing barriers, fostering alignment, and leading with confidence.
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