The Habit Blueprint: Unlocking Lasting Change with Dr. Wendy Wood & Charles Good | The Good Leadership Podcast #197

Today, we are joined by Dr. Wendy Wood. Dr. Wendy Wood is Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California, where she teaches classes on behavior change. Given her research over the past 30 years, she is widely considered the world scientific expert on habit formation and change. She has published over 100 articles, and her research has been supported by Proctor & Gamble, National Science Foundation, the Templeton Foundation, and the Radcliffe Institute. She is the author of Good Habits, Bad Habits. Dr. Wood is a popular speaker at scientific conferences and with a broad range of professional groups. In 2018, she gave the inaugural address in Paris for the Sorbonne-INSEAD Distinguished Chair in Behavioral Science. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Washington Post, on radio shows like Freakanomics, and in podcasts like the People’s Pharmacy. In this episode, we cover the science behind our habits and how they influence our daily behaviors. Wendy highlights the significant role of the non-conscious brain and the habit part of our brain that drives much of what we do without our conscious awareness. We also explore the differences between habits and one-off decisions driven by willpower, the process of habit formation through repetition and rewards, and the concept of ideomotor action introduced by William James. This episode touches on the introspection illusion, the critical role of environmental context in shaping our habits, and practical strategies for forming and disrupting habits. Join us for this masterclass on habits! Dr. Wendy Wood’s Website: https://dornsife.usc.edu/wendy-wood/ - Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/ Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesagood/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99 Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:37) Tool: The Power of Habits vs. Willpower (06:38) Tool: The Role of Environment in Habit Formation (10:51) Tip: Defining and Recognizing Habits (12:11) Tip: The Introspection Illusion (14:43) Tip: Situational Control vs. Self Control (20:16) Tool: Context and Habit Formation (23:47) Tip: Debunking Habit Formation Myths (25:25) Technique: The Importance of Immediate Rewards (27:52) Conclusion