A wave of new research is upending common beliefs about motivation, revealing that pushing people harder with advice and pressure often backfires—while a gentler, evidence-based approach can dramatically improve follow-through. Published recently in Psychology Today by licensed clinical social worker and applied psychologists from universities in the US and UK, these findings challenge longstanding norms in Thai homes, schools, and workplaces, offering a fresh approach for Thai leaders, parents, and educators striving to inspire lasting personal and group change (Psychology Today).
At the heart of the new research is a deceptively simple insight: Attempts to externally motivate others—by lecturing, offering rewards, or threatening consequences—tend to undermine people’s own internal drive. This “motivation myth” persists across cultures, including Thailand, where elders, teachers, and employers often try to “flip the switch” of motivation with strong arm tactics, firm reminders, or repeated scolding. But growing scientific consensus says a different approach is needed.
Why does motivation remain so elusive, despite our best efforts? The study’s authors point to a core psychological dynamic: Most people don’t lack reasons to change, but instead struggle with “ambivalence,” a mental tug-of-war between wanting to act and wanting to avoid discomfort. This internal debate—sometimes called the “ambivalence stage” in psychological models of change—affects everyone from students avoiding homework to patients skipping medical appointments. This insight is highly relevant in Thai society, where face-saving and reluctance to admit doubt or difficulty can deepen the motivation struggle, whether in the classroom, the office, or the family home (Wikipedia: Motivational Interviewing).
The research team tested their ideas in a high-stakes healthcare environment. In diagnostic clinics, patients routinely canceled or no-showed for EEG scans, citing vague excuses such as “I’m too busy.” When staff responded by reminding them of the importance of the test or referencing no-show penalties, cancellation rates remained stubbornly high. However, when frontline staff were trained in three key principles of motivational communication, the results were striking: Same-day cancellations dropped by up to 50%, and more patients who canceled ultimately rescheduled their scans — with no increase in call time or staff workload.
The three principles, which the study’s authors encourage everyone from Thai parents to business managers to consider, are:
- Listen to Understand. Instead of jumping in with solutions, first reflect what you hear: “It sounds like you’re worried about missing family obligations.” This simple act of acknowledgment encourages honesty and openness.
- Explore the Struggle. Normalize ambivalence as part of being human: “It’s understandable to feel torn about this.” By asking curious follow-up questions, supporters can help people articulate their own reasons and solutions.
- Support Autonomy. Reassure the individual that the choice is theirs: “Whatever you decide, I want it to feel right for you.” Honoring a person’s independence increases their likelihood of making—and sticking to—the right decision.
Crucially, this approach is not about manipulating people to act, but empowering them to resolve their own internal conflicts. According to the study’s co-author, an applied psychology lecturer now affiliated with the STEM Transformation Institute at Florida International University, “Motivation isn’t something you can give to someone else. It’s something you help them discover within themselves.”
In Thai culture, where respect for hierarchy and family expectations are strongly woven into daily life, these findings present both a challenge and an opportunity. The old ways of top-down motivation, whether through parental scolding, school teacher directives, or management threats, may bring short-term compliance but rarely promote deep, lasting change. The study’s healthcare workers found that when they worked with, rather than against, patients’ ambivalence, rapport grew and trust was strengthened—results likely replicable in Thai schools or offices (PubMed: Effective Practitioner-Patient Communication for Health Outcomes).
Thai educational experts from Chulalongkorn University have previously highlighted that rote learning and “teacher-centered” classrooms, common in Thailand, often stifle creativity and intrinsic motivation. By shifting towards a style that encourages student voice and autonomy, Thai schools could see not only improved academic results but healthier mental wellbeing as well (Bangkok Post: Education Must Embrace Individuality). Similarly, in the workplace, global companies in Thailand that invest in motivating staff through open dialogue and autonomy rather than rigid, hierarchical control report higher morale and retention.
To put these findings into practice, Thais in all walks of life can apply the three principles of motivational communication. For example, when a teenager avoids housework, instead of scolding, a parent might say, “It sounds like you feel overwhelmed after a long day at school. What do you think might make it easier to start your chores?” In a business context, a team leader may say, “I notice you’re hesitant about this project. Let’s talk about what’s on your mind.”
Notably, this approach aligns with core Thai values of empathy (เมตตา), harmony (สามัคคี), and respect for individual choice, while still addressing the nation’s well-known challenges with procrastination, underperformance, and disengaged youth (Wikipedia: Thai Values).
Of course, skeptics may question whether this softer approach undermines discipline or authority, especially in traditional Thai households or government institutions. However, the research shows that honoring autonomy does not mean relinquishing responsibilities—rather, it invites people of all ages to take ownership of their choices. The result, as seen in the US-based healthcare experiment, is not only greater follow-through but stronger relationships and higher satisfaction on all sides.
Looking ahead, experts predict that motivational communication techniques will become increasingly important as Thai society faces rapid social change. Rising mental health concerns among youth, a shifting labor market demanding creativity and self-direction, and the continued influence of digital technologies all require new tools for fostering genuine motivation. Already, Thai educators, health workers, and business consultants are piloting “motivational interviewing” strategies in classrooms, clinics, and staff rooms, hoping to replicate the impressive results seen overseas (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers).
There are some limitations to consider. The healthcare scheduling study was conducted in a specific cultural and organizational context, and further research is needed to map how these findings play out across rural versus urban Thailand, different age groups, and varying cultural subgroups. Additionally, deeply ingrained norms of face-saving and indirect communication may sometimes complicate open exploration of “ambivalence.”
Nevertheless, the message is clear: The future of motivation in Thailand is about more than effortful persuasion. By listening deeply, exploring ambivalence compassionately, and supporting real choice, Thais can nurture authentic, lasting motivation—for themselves and for those they care for.
For Thai parents, teachers, and leaders ready to try, start with small shifts: Replace advice with questions; acknowledge reluctance as normal; offer choice instead of control. Even in the busy rhythm of everyday life, these subtle changes promise deeper connection and more sustainable change.
For those wishing to learn more about motivational communication and its application in Thai contexts, resources are available through the Motivational Interviewing Network (motivationalinterviewing.org), recent publications in Thai academic journals, and training sessions at leading Thai universities. Embracing these principles today may create a more motivated, resilient, and compassionate Thailand for generations to come.