I was on my cell talking with someone about something — I can't remember who or what anymore — as I ushered my three children toward our minivan, parked across the street from our apartment.

I held the phone in my right hand and several bags in my left as I struggled to keep the kids from running into the street. Daniel, my two year old, was holding onto my pant leg as Sophia and Isabelle — four and eight — saw the van across the street and started to run to it.

"Wait!" I screamed before they launched themselves off the sidewalk. They stopped just in time to avoid a car that sped by. My adrenaline shot up as I realized the close call. I should have gotten off the phone at that point — it's obvious now — but I didn't. I thought I had averted the disaster.

It's amazing what it takes to change a person's behavior.

Follow the link below to read the full article in a new window:

http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2010/05/a-two-step-plan-for-changing-y.html

Peter Bregman speaks, writes, and consults on leadership. He is the CEO of Bregman Partners, Inc., a global management consulting firm, and the author of Point B: A Short Guide To Leading a Big Change.