Leading Through Motivational Interviewing - A Communication Approach to Promoting Change in the Workplace (MILEAD)

Organizational change due to new technologies, restructuring, or cultural shifts presents major challenges for organizations, leaders, and employees. Successful change depends on effective communication, yet many initiatives fail due to insufficient communication that fosters employees’ readiness to engage in change.

The present project addresses this challenge by developing and evaluating a training aimed at teaching leaders a change-facilitating communication skill called Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI is an evidence-based method developed in clinical psychology and addiction therapy. It focuses on strengthening intrinsic motivation, reducing resistance, and supporting behavioral change through empathetic, structured, and goal-oriented communication. In organizational contexts, MI can help leaders guide employees constructively through change, address ambivalence, and support engagement in change processes.

The project has three main goals: to develop and evaluate a MI training designed specifically for leaders, to examine how MI-based communication influences employees’ readiness to change and engagement, and to identify challenges and best practices for integrating MI into organizational change management. The training lasts 2.5 days and may be supplemented by optional e-learning elements to support knowledge transfer.

The project aims to recruit about 60 leaders through professional networks, social media, and partnerships with organizations. A mixed-methods pre-post approach combining behavioral observations and surveys will be used. Simulated leader–employee conversations before and after training will be analyzed to assess changes in communication behavior. Leaders will complete surveys on their self-efficacy and leadership. Employees will be invited to report on leader relations, job satisfaction, willingness to change, and change engagement. This approach enables scientific evaluation of training effectiveness and benefits for leaders and employees.