The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
| Chip Heath & Dan Heath, 2017
What’s It All About?
If you ask me to think of “memorable moments,” two experiences pop into my mind. One is when I was driving and a large raccoon scuttled out of a ditch and into my path, causing substantial damage to my car. The other memorable moment is during the COVID-19 pandemic, where I couldn’t get back to Canada and had an opportunity to visit with a cousin in the United States. My cousin made the visit a wonderful experience, and I remember the decorations, the food, and the comfort of chatting by a warm fireplace.
One of these moments is negative, the other positive, but to me, they’re both incredible memorable moments. So what makes a memorable moment? Why do we remember some moments and forget others... and what can we do to create more great memorable moments?.
Find out in The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experience Have Extraordinary Impact. Authors Chip Heath and Dan Heath explore the phenomena of memorable moments, drawing on powerful real-world examples to show how even the simplest moments can have monumental impacts. They also break down the 4 keys that make up our most memorable moments:
- Elevation: Memorable moments rise above the ordinary
- Insight: Memorable moments provide new understand
- Pride: A memorable moment can be a source of achievement
- Connection: Memorable moments offer social engagement
Chip and Dan’s examples also show that we don’t have to wait for memorable moments—we can create them! Their book offers great lessons for leaders looking to improve growth and connection in their organization, showing them how to small opportunities into meaningful moments that can lead to deeper connections, better results, and a greater long-term impact.
Favorite Quote
“In the short term, we prioritize fixing problems over making moments.”
Biggest Takeaway
In my workshops with clients, I love to know what engaged them about the experience. At the start of each session, I have them share a positive experience they’ve had since we last met, or some kind of personal growth they’ve achieved since our last session. Then we have a discussion and at the end of the session, I have each person share what they took how of the discussion and how they plan to apply the new insights they learned. And just like that, we hit all four keys for creating memorable moments!
But after reading The Power of Moments, I gained even more insights on how I can repeat and amplify this process in my workshops. It also showed me that while it’s great to come up with insights during our session, the action that follows is what really moment, and that action leads to insight more than insight leads to action. By sharing our actions, we find stronger insights, which creates even more action and growth!
What moment will you elevate? You will have your own ideas after this great read!
Bonus Information
The Power of Moments also gave me some great ideas on improving the guest experience on my podcast, Mindfulness Manufacturing! In each episode, I strive to create valuable content and memorable moments for both my guests and listeners, and I’m excited to find new ways to make each episode even more impactful.
Listen to Mindfulness Manufacturing here!
Reviewed by: Trevor Blondeel, November 6, 2024
At Manufacturing Greatness, Trevor Blondeel works with manufacturers to connect the top to the shop. If you’re ready to improve your own organization, contact Trevor to learn how Manufacturing Greatness can help you build stronger leaders and develop a dynamic, high-performing workplace.