Micro-Fix: Motivational Interviewing - Guiding Change, Not Forcing it

Ever tried to help someone change—only to hit a wall of resistance? Motivational Interviewing (MI) flips the script. Instead of persuading people to change, it invites them to discover their own reasons for doing so.

What Is Motivational Interviewing?

Developed by psychologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, MI is a collaborative, goal-oriented approach that strengthens personal motivation through empathy and conversation. It’s especially powerful for coaches, educators, and leaders who want to help others grow without pushing too hard.

The Spirit of MI

MI is built on four principles (remember the acronym RULE):

• R – Resist the righting reflex (don’t jump to fix).

• U – Understand through empathy.

• L – Listen to the person’s own motivations.

• E – Empower them to believe change is possible.

Micro Moves for Better Conversations

Ask open-ended questions:

• “What’s most important to you about this goal?”

• “What would success look like in your eyes?”

Reflect what you hear:

• “You sound frustrated, but also hopeful.”

Affirm their strengths:

• “You’ve handled tough challenges before—you can do this one too.”

Micro Fix Takeaway: Motivation grows when people feel heard, not judged. Your role isn’t to pull them forward, but to walk beside them until they’re ready to take the next step.