Why the behaviour change wheel is key to unlocking workplace wellbeing
Most workplace wellness programmes fail because they don’t get to the root of behaviour change. They offer learning, yoga classes or health apps without asking the critical question: what’s really stopping our people from making healthy changes at work?
That’s where the Behaviour change wheel framework and the COM-B model come in. Developed from a synthesis of 19 established behaviour change frameworks, it shows that for any behaviour to change, three things need to be in place:
Capability – do employees have the knowledge and skills?
Opportunity – does the environment and culture support change?
Motivation – are people driven to act, both consciously and automatically?
When one of these is missing, the best wellness initiatives could still struggle to make an impact.
Why it works in the workplace
Research shows COM-B is one of the most effective ways to design behaviour change interventions. Here’s why:
It provide a clear framework for understanding behaviour: diagnosing whether challenges come from capability, opportunity, or motivation and helping identify barriers and enablers to behaviour change.
Allows theory to be practically applied: translating behaviour change science into clear steps organisations can apply.
Provides comprehensive coverage of what influences employees: considering knowledge, skills, environment, culture, and motivation (both habits and conscious choices), recognising employee wellbeing and wellness is shaped by more than just organisational policies, and initiatives.
Emphasis on tailored strategies over one-size-fits-all approach: by diagnosing what is a barrier and enabler in your employees and workplace culture.
Proven techniques that deliver results: there is a direct link to evidence-based behaviour change techniques (BCTs) that can be embedeed into workplace wellbeing strategies to shift health behaviour.
What this means for your organisation
When we run a Discovery Audit, by using traditional methods and the Behaviour Change Wheel with the COM-B model, to uncover what’s really driving or blocking wellness in your workplace. From there, we build a Blueprint & Roadmap tailored to your people, your culture, and your goals.
That means no generic tick-box programmes. Instead, you get a research-backed plan that’s practical, measurable, and designed to make real behaviour change stick.
👉 If you’d like to find out how COM-B can transform your workplace wellness strategy, get in touch here.
References
Michie, S., Atkins, L., & West, R. (2014). The behaviour change wheel: A guide to designing interventions. Silverback Publishing.
Karjalainen, A. (2025). Enhancing workplace well-being: promoting behaviour, physical activity, nutrition, and rest applying the COM-B-model.
Ojo, S. O., Bailey, D. P., Brierley, M. L., Hewson, D. J., & Chater, A. M. (2019). Breaking barriers: using the behavior change wheel to develop a tailored intervention to overcome workplace inhibitors to breaking up sitting time. BMC public health, 19(1), 1126. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7468-8