Show Them the Biscuit

Leadership

Sundays are slower than most days. They are designed to be. In our house, we all latch on to that gift, especially Louie, our soon-to-be 15-year-old golden. He knows the routine, and if he plays it right, he wins.

So, this past Sunday morning, he waited patiently for me to take him out, and as is customary, he got a treat. Then, a little while later, he had a quick workout with me and got another treat. Shortly after that, he joined me in the kitchen as an assistant barista and got a treat. Then we went downstairs again to make another cup, and he got his breakfast. Then, another trip out and another treat.

After all of this activity, he laid down to rest. We cleaned up a little and were heading upstairs, so he stood up and prepared to join us. Rather than follow, however, he stood immovable by the pantry. He looked at us with a deep accusatory stare as if to say, “You’re forgetting something”. He wasn't moving until he laid eyes on another biscuit.

"But he replied, 'I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side." (John 20:25)

People change behavior because two things are present:

What's in it for me?
Proof beyond a reasonable doubt

If you find yourself struggling to get people to follow you, move in a particular direction, or change a behavior or process, it's most likely that one of those two elements is missing.

It may appear to work for you, make sense to you, do something for you, or be something you are passionate about… but enough about you, what about me? Prove it!

That's just human nature, and it's nothing new. Even one of Jesus' followers, after being with him for years and hearing him predict what would happen, still wouldn't believe it until he got proof.

If you want to move people, make sure they know what's in it for them.

There has to be a return on their investment, and you must be able to show them proof. You need to show them the biscuit.

Louie was perfectly happy lying on the kitchen floor. We wanted him upstairs, but what WE wanted wasn't enough. It took a change in behavior for him to go up there, and he wasn't moving until he knew there was a good reason, and he saw it was true.