In today’s fast-moving world, change is constant — but changing behaviour can be one of the hardest challenges for individuals, teams, and organisations. At Sidestream, we use proven behaviour change models to help businesses build lasting habits, strengthen engagement, and create meaningful results.

What Are Behaviour Change Models?

Behaviour change models are frameworks that explain how and why people adjust their actions over time. They’re built on psychological research and practical experience, helping us understand what motivates people, what holds them back, and what supports sustainable change.

In simple terms, these models give structure to the change process — from recognising a problem to taking action and maintaining new habits.

Key Behaviour Change Models

1. The COM-B Model

The COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour) explains that for any behaviour to occur, three factors must work together:

• Capability – Do people have the knowledge or skills to perform the behaviour?
  
  

• Opportunity – Does the environment support the behaviour?
  
  

• Motivation – Do they want to do it?
  
  

At Sidestream, we use COM-B to identify what’s missing — whether that’s training, encouragement, or better systems — so we can design interventions that actually work.

2. The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)

This model outlines five stages people go through when changing behaviour:

1. Pre-contemplation – Not yet ready to change
   
   

2. Contemplation – Thinking about it
   
   

3. Preparation – Getting ready
   
   

4. Action – Making the change
   
   

5. Maintenance – Keeping the change going
   
   

Understanding which stage someone is in helps us offer the right support at the right time — a principle we apply in our workshops and training sessions.

3. The Theory of Planned Behaviour

This model highlights how intentions shape actions. It suggests that people change when they:

• Believe they can succeed (self-efficacy)
  
  

• Feel positive about the behaviour
  
  

• Sense that others support it
  
  

At Sidestream, this theory helps guide our communication strategies and leadership development programmes, ensuring that motivation and belief are built from within.

Why Behaviour Change Models Matter

Behaviour change isn’t about quick fixes. Whether it’s encouraging sustainability, improving team performance, or developing leadership, lasting change happens when we understand human psychology.

By applying these models, Sidestream helps organisations:

• Create practical, science-based change strategies
  
  

• Increase engagement and participation
  
  

• Build resilient, confident teams
  
  

• Turn insight into measurable results
  
  

Sidestream’s Approach

We combine the science of behavioural psychology with creative learning design. Our workshops and programmes are immersive, collaborative, and grounded in real-world application.

Whether you’re aiming to build better habits, strengthen communication, or drive culture change, Sidestream helps you move from awareness to action — and sustain it.

Final Thoughts

Behaviour change models remind us that transformation is not just about telling people what to do — it’s about helping them want to do it, know how to do it, and feel supported while doing it.

At Sidestream, we turn these insights into action, helping organisations across the UK design change that lasts.