The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Title:  The Power of Habit
Author: Charles Duhigg
Did I listen or read?: library book
When did I finish?: Aug 4, 2012
When was the book published: 2012
Main Characters: non-fiction
What happens? I learned from this book the basic habit cycle.  Cue, followed by Routine, followed by Reward.  The author maintains that successful change involves changing the routine.  Identify the cue and the reward, and change the routine - substitute something that produces the reward.  If people overeat while being social, find a substitute social activity that doesn't have too many calories.  The author tells some great stories, especially about the guy who took over Alcoa when it was totally dysfunctional, and focused them on safety.  This singular focus got the company to pull together, allowed them to set up a first intranet and email system.  The guy was a brilliant leader who always questioned and drove everyone to a better result.  In remembering this, it is very difficult to tie this to habits.  Same for Rhode Island Hospital - they learned how to improve quality of care by taking advantage of a crisis.  A fascinating story, but again, 2 days after I read it, it is hard for me to describe how it ties to habits.  Even his story in the appendix about his cookie eating habit disappoints, because he provides a method to identify the cue, and then says it is "time" - but I was not able to spot this from the evidence.
How long was this? 280 pages (not including notes)
Did I like this? It was interesting and a fast read, but I was disappointed to have few tools and specifics about the role of habits and how to change.  He lacks Malcolm Gladwell's magic touch to tie it all together.
Overall grade: C+