Book of the Month: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
As a leader, you likely already know that habits drive a significant portion of your day. From how you start your morning to the way you approach feedback, delegate tasks, or handle conflict, so much of leadership happens on autopilot. But have you ever paused to ask why you—and your team—operate the way you do?
In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Charles Duhigg takes us deep into the science of why habits exist and how they can be changed. This book is a powerful read for anyone who wants to improve performance, lead more intentionally, and create systems that support sustainable success.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book—and how you can apply them as a people leader.
1. Understand the Habit Loop: Cue, Routine, Reward
At the heart of Duhigg’s framework is the habit loop, which consists of three parts:
Cue – a trigger that initiates the behavior
Routine – the behavior itself
Reward – the benefit your brain receives that reinforces the habit
Understanding this loop gives you the power to deconstruct and change habits—not just in yourself, but within your team or workplace culture.
Leadership takeaway:
If a team member is consistently late on deadlines or resists giving feedback, explore the habit loop behind those behaviors. What’s triggering them? What’s the “reward” they’re receiving (avoidance of discomfort, fear of failure, etc.)? Once identified, you can work together to shift the routine while maintaining the same reward—supporting lasting change instead of quick fixes.
2. Keystone Habits Create Ripple Effects
Duhigg introduces the idea of keystone habits—specific habits that, when changed, can spark a cascade of other positive behaviors. Exercise is a classic example: people who begin exercising often start eating better, sleeping more, and managing stress more effectively.
Leadership takeaway:
Think about keystone habits in the context of your team. Maybe it’s a daily stand-up meeting that creates stronger alignment. Or encouraging employees to block calendar time for deep work, leading to more focused productivity. Identify one habit that, if improved, could elevate multiple dimensions of performance—and start there.
3. Willpower is a Muscle (But Also a Resource)
Willpower isn’t just a personality trait—it’s something that can be strengthened over time. But Duhigg also points out that willpower can be depleted, especially when people are tired, stressed, or overwhelmed.
Leadership takeaway:
If you’re expecting your team to consistently perform at a high level, support them in preserving willpower. That might mean reducing decision fatigue by clarifying priorities, building in moments for breaks, or protecting time for recovery during busy seasons. It also means modeling the behavior yourself—showing that rest is a leadership strength, not a weakness.
4. Change Happens When Belief is Present
Duhigg emphasizes that true habit change requires belief—belief that change is possible and that there’s a reason to keep going when things get hard. He notes that belief is often rooted in community, which is why support groups and team dynamics are so powerful.
Leadership takeaway:
Culture is what sustains change. If you want to foster resilience and positive behaviors on your team, create a shared belief that improvement is possible—and worth it. Celebrate small wins, acknowledge progress, and create space for vulnerability and support. The most successful leaders create environments where people believe in themselves and each other.
5. Habits Drive Organizational Culture, Too
While much of The Power of Habit focuses on individuals, Duhigg also explores how habits shape organizational behavior. He shares stories from companies like Starbucks and Alcoa, showing how systems, routines, and values become ingrained—and how intentional leadership can rewrite those patterns.
Leadership takeaway:
If your company culture feels reactive, burned out, or stuck, start by identifying the habits that uphold it. Are emails expected to be answered immediately? Do meetings routinely run over? Is feedback always top-down? Recognizing and disrupting unhelpful organizational habits can be the first step toward lasting cultural change.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a leader committed to growth—for yourself and your team—The Power of Habit is a foundational read. Duhigg blends research, storytelling, and practical tools to help you understand not just how to change behavior, but how to sustain it.
For those of you who loved Atomic Habits by James Clear, this book offers a complementary perspective. Where Clear focuses on making small, daily changes and identity-based habits, Duhigg takes a broader systems-level view—perfect for leaders looking to influence individual habits and shape workplace culture.
The takeaway? You don’t have to be stuck in unhelpful patterns. By understanding how habits work, you can redesign your routines, lead your team more effectively, and build a culture rooted in intentionality.
Ready to lead with more awareness and alignment? Let’s talk about how coaching can support your growth as a mindful leader.
