Motivational Interviewing (MI) is particularly valuable for leadership when ambivalence about change is blocking recovery.
Ambivalence in Leadership
People with leadership are often ambivalent about change — part wants relief, part fears the unknown of being without familiar leadership patterns. This is normal, not resistance.
How MI Addresses Leadership Ambivalence
MI uses specific techniques to help people explore and resolve their ambivalence about leadership treatment:
- Reflective listening: Hearing and naming both sides of leadership ambivalence
- Decisional balance: Exploring pros and cons of changing vs. staying the same with leadership
- Evoking change talk: Drawing out the person's own reasons for addressing leadership
- Affirming strengths: Highlighting past capacities relevant to leadership recovery
MI in Leadership Treatment Settings
MI is integrated into many leadership treatment approaches as an engagement tool. It's particularly useful at the beginning of treatment and when motivation fluctuates.