Principle 04: Know the Forces at Play

Change doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you understand the key forces driving a system and know how to apply them at the right leverage points. Think of a lever and a fulcrum: a small push in the right spot can move mountains. But push in the wrong spot, and you’ll waste all your energy.

In any situation—whether it’s improving your results at work or restoring the harmony of an important relationship —there are a handful of high-leverage forces that matter most. The trick is identifying which forces are at play in your specific situation and focusing your energy there. Stop trying to fix everything at once. Instead, find the force that will make the biggest difference, and watch the ripple effects unfold. We will show you how.