4E for Behavioural Change

When it comes to programmes success, 4 key factors are important, namely the machinery, money, method and manpower. Out of the four, manpower is believed to be the tougher. As we are talking about human being, changing their way of life, style of doing thing or even attitude is more difficult than other consideration. Many programmes, for example the waste composting project is not about how best the technologies are and how much money was invested, but rather the software or human part of it. The effectiveness of waste composting project is depending much on the level of stakeholders participation and the level of awareness. If the stakeholders decided not to give full cooperation, the success of the project will definitely in doubt. Changing behaviour of the people, has hence become a major task of gauging the success of a programme. There are 4 processes of changing behaviour of people or commony known as 4E by Jackson (2005), namely enable, encourage, engage and exemplify. We have to enable an individual to change in which authoritative approach without much room of freedom for choice should be avioded. Once enabling environment is created and an individual is happy to change, we must encourage them to do so by facilitating the change. Encouragement without engaging is not guarantee for continuing improvement or change to be sustained. We must hold an individual hand and walking along side them so that change can become a norm and value. Any positive change, then should be highlighted and promoted amongst the peers and even being recognised. After all, human at time need to be acknowledged and motivated for achieving greater height.