- Report this article
Dennis Zajac, PhD
Dennis Zajac, PhD
Digital Transformation, OCM, & OD | Evidence-Based Practice | AI
Published Aug 24, 2022
+ Follow
The Rule of 7, or some variation of it, is frequently cited in communications. It says a message must be received at least 7 times, in 7 different ways, for it to be “heard” and ultimately result in desired behavior change. It originated in Marketing and has spread far and wide as an unquestioned maxim.
Unfortunately, there is ZERO research to support it!
Fortunately, there IS research to support how to communicate for true understanding and actual behavior change! Communicate in a small group or one-on-one, face-to-face, and with your immediate manager where there is an opportunity for discussion and clarification (Obal & Morgan, 2018; Larkin & Larkin, 1994, 2001).Moreover, this approach is extremely effective THE FIRST TIME.
There certainly is communication overload. But if something is not working (e.g., yammer, TV screen bulletins, website/sharepoint, newsletters, emails) why repeat it 7 times? (I will leave that as a rhetorical question)
More importantly, how does this fact impact your plans to communicate an important organizational change? How are your communication resources allocated? What communication channels are you emphasizing?Who is delivering the most important information?
Like
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
36
22 Comments
Dave Schnell
Open to consulting/mentor opportunity in business transformation, process development & integration, project management
1y
- Report this comment
Absolutely on point.
1Reaction
Ron Leeman
Delivering my ultra-successful Driving Change Management course to those who want practical and non-theory.
2y
- Report this comment
PART 1COMMUNICATION IS KEY WHEN YOU WANT PEOPLE TO CHANGE ... but in contrast …COMMUNICATION IS AN AREA THAT IS MOST FREQUENTLY COMPLAINED ABOUT BY EMPLOYEESAs Change Managers one of our first and most important tasks is to create an all-encompassing Communication Plan that must take account of four key factors:(1) Whoever is sending the message must ensure that the message is clear and with the right amount of details.(2) Whoever is receiving the message must make a decision to listen, ask questions and trust the sender of the message.(3) The delivery mechanism must suit the circ*mstances and the needs of both the sender and the receiver.(4) The message content has to connect on some level with the receiver, should contain information that the individual wants to hear and as far as possible allow the individual to assess the WIIFM factor.
1Reaction 2Reactions
John Deel - "Always-On CHANGE"
Organizational Change Management (OCM) Practitioner - CHANGE is in my DNA and CHANGE is what I do!
2y
- Report this comment
Dennis - nice to open this up a bit. Research or no research, we all know that COMMUNICATIONS is often the contributor to success and more often the source of many failures.We could fill a page of research sources and stories on this.I have used this simple visual on Communications (below) as another way explain 7 times 7 ways.In fact, I talked about this today with my client who is rolling out a global data governance / master data management (DG/MDM) solution. Stressed that even inside a kickoff meeting (real-time teams meeting that combined voice with video), 3 separate speakers, saying basically the same thing but using slightly different words, intonation, energy and facial expressions, can be of a way of covering 3 out of 7 in just one setting. As an OCM Practitioner, make 7 times 7 ways (not literally) a fabric of how you communicate and how you help others to communicate.This can and will drive adoption for the overall DG/MDM solution. Stay relevant, consistent and don't give up – behaviors will change.😎
No more previous content
No more next content
1Reaction 2Reactions
Frank Barnes
PMO Program Manager / Project Manager
2y
- Report this comment
I find this information to be well suited for the IT industry . Yes you MUST state what is happening to the Customer's environment. You also need to make sure you can obtain the highest Leader in that organization to sponsor your communications. If not individuals will not read/listen to what is being said. When that happens inmplementation of any stature will be difficult to incorporate into their Business World.
1Reaction 2Reactions
Gene McWilliams
Retired CFO
2y
- Report this comment
Denny, makes sense for organizational or culture change. However, we experienced direct proof of rule of seven in marketing (our internal research and testing) when we were in the online venture business for twelve years. In online marketing of new services it did work when we sent the same message 5,6 and 7 times. We tracked all email and social media campaigns. Again this is not the best approach in attempts to change culture or organizational change - direct top down executive communication is a must and it does not have to be seven times!
1Reaction 2Reactions
See more comments
To view or add a comment, sign in
Insights from the community
- Business Communications What steps can you take to ensure consistent communication with all stakeholders?
- Business Operations How do you adapt your communication style and tone?
- Communication What do you do if your executive communication with external stakeholders is falling short?
- Executive Management How can you communicate your strategic vision to stakeholders through oral communication?
- Restructuring How do you manage communication during a spin-off?
- Corporate Communications How often do you audit your communication and how do you know when to do it?
- Leadership Development How do you communicate effectively with everyone?
Others also viewed
- The Art of Effective Communication Alex Nubla 5y
- Three questions to get you started Larry Shoop 5y
- Communication Catastrophe Ashley Goes 4mo
- The 7 Cs of Communication“A Checklist for Clear Communication” S.M. Mohaiminul Haque 6y
- Communication blunders !! Raghesh G Menon ✅ 10y
- Craft Program Communications like a Masterpiece Madhurima Dey 2mo
- Communication: Who How What Rachelle Brunton 9y
- Organizing Your Communication Mike Martorella 9y
- Breaking down Communication Barriers Jackie Northedge 7y
- Find errors in your communication--BEFOREHAND. Download our FREE whitepaper written by a McKinsey-trained Communication Specialist. David Tang 5y
Explore topics
- Sales
- Marketing
- IT Services
- Business Administration
- HR Management
- Engineering
- Soft Skills
- See All