Enable Strategy Lab
Force-Field Analysis
Weigh what's pushing a change forward against what's holding it back - then know exactly what to tackle first.
Any change worth making has forces pushing it forward and forces holding it back, and most people only really think about one side - usually the reasons to do it, rarely the reasons it keeps not happening. Force-Field Analysis, developed by psychologist Kurt Lewin, makes you list both sides explicitly: Driving Forces (what's pushing this change forward) and Restraining Forces (what's holding it back), scored by strength. The insight most people miss is that pushing harder on the driving side often just increases tension without actually moving anything - it's usually more effective to weaken a restraining force than to add another driving one. Name the change, list both sides, score them, and see clearly which restraining force is actually worth attacking first.
Included in All Access, or unlock it on its own.
Start here first: free Academy course
Force-Field Analysis
A change that keeps stalling despite more effort usually doesn't need more push - it needs the actual restraining force identified and removed. Force-Field Analysis shows you how to find the specific thing worth attacking instead of just pushing harder generally. Keep pushing blind instead and you burn energy and goodwill on a change that was never going to move until the real blocker was addressed.
- 1.Two Kinds of ForceDriving forces push a change forward. Restraining forces hold it back. Most people only ever think about one side.
- 2.Reduce, Don't Just PushThe single most useful insight in Force-Field Analysis - and why it goes against most people's instinct.
- 3.Pick a Stalled ChangeName a change you or the business have wanted to make but that keeps not quite happening.
- 4.Quick CheckA few questions to lock in what you just covered.
- 5.Run Your AnalysisScore both sides for the change you named and find the restraining force actually worth attacking.
Questions
What does the Force-Field Analysis do?
Any change worth making has forces pushing it forward and forces holding it back, and most people only really think about one side - usually the reasons to do it, rarely the reasons it keeps not happening. Force-Field Analysis, developed by psychologist Kurt Lewin, makes you list both sides explicitly: Driving Forces (what's pushing this change forward) and Restraining Forces (what's holding it back), scored by strength. The insight most people miss is that pushing harder on the driving side often just increases tension without actually moving anything - it's usually more effective to weaken a restraining force than to add another driving one. Name the change, list both sides, score them, and see clearly which restraining force is actually worth attacking first.
How much does the Force-Field Analysis cost?
It's included in All Access along with every other Lab and the full Academy, or you can unlock it on its own. The membership page has the current options.
Is it built for Australian businesses?
Yes. Enable Strategy Lab is built in Queensland for Australian small business owners, using Australian dollars, GST and Australian terms throughout.
Do I need to be good with numbers or strategy?
No. Each Lab walks you through one step at a time in plain English, with examples, and saves your work as you go so you can come back to it.
Is there anything I should read first?
Yes: the free Academy course "Force-Field Analysis" explains the thinking behind this Lab in 5 short lessons.