More on The Three Alternatives Rule

Environment

The second rule is to change your environment.

 We adapt to our surroundings in different ways.   That’s why we may behave one way in a social setting and entirely different at work . 

 We often get stuck in a routine, and if that routine is altered or changed, we are no longer actively conscious of what we are doing and why .

 That is why it is important to take a moment and assess the events leading to the change and plan a course of action. If this alternative is chosen, there will be a need to decide exactly what environmental change to make, plan the change, and manage the implementation of the plan .

Confrontation

The third rule is to confront the person about his or her behavior.

This is often the most challenging alternative out of the three because it is difficult to gauge how the other party will handle the information. They can either be supportive of your views or reject them altogether.

Speaking with the individual employee in a private setting to address behavior issues early is ideal . Taking the time to go over the causes of the issues rather than the effects can help to solve the underlying problem .

Management may also use the company’s established disciplinary procedure as a tool for change .  A timed process that the employee must follow allows for behavior modifications.  Or, if the behavior worsens, it can ultimately lead to the termination of the employee.

When emotions are high, pausing before acting and thinking through your approach is a great way to avoid making a problem worse by simply reacting in the heat of the moment.  The Three Alternatives Rule is a great tool for doing that.