Information Framing

How we say things matters

Psychology has a concept called the “framing effect.”

The same information can be presented positively or negatively. In many people, the WAY the information is presented can be more influential on their feelings than the actual information. For example, if a doctor says: “You should have this surgery. It has a 90% success rate,” then people are more likely to get the surgery than if the doctor told them, “With this surgery, 10% of the patients die.”

This can, of course, be used to manipulate people, and I am NOT suggesting that you do that. Please don’t!

Use this power for good. Frame assignments and activities positively for your people (and for yourself!). “We get to do training today!” is better than “We have to do training today.”

Does it change what people need to do? No.

Does it help them feel more positive and motivated about it? Yes.

A simple choice to frame things positively can improve morale, retention, and the office culture overall.

(image generated using Midjourney)