--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everybody is talking about the behavior…" description: "\"Everybody is talking about the behavior. Behaviors float downstream to us. We need to paddle upstream. The problems that are causing the behaviors, tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/ross-w-greene-17138_behavior_everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior_2198620.jpg" --- # Everybody is talking about the behavior. Behaviors float… ![“Everybody is talking about the behavior. Behaviors float downstream to us. We need to paddle upstream. The problems that are causing the behaviors, that's what's waiting for us. It's a crucial paradigm shift.” quote by Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/ross-w-greene-17138_behavior_everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior_2198620.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/ross-w-greene-17138_behavior_everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior_2198620.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/ross-w-greene-17138_behavior_everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior_2198620.jpg) > “Everybody is talking about the behavior. Behaviors float downstream to us. We need to paddle upstream. The problems that are causing the behaviors, that's what's waiting for us. It's a crucial paradigm shift.” [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must address root causes of behavior rather than just reacting to symptoms. **In simple terms:** Fix underlying problems, not just symptoms. Key Takeaway Focus on upstream solutions. Themes behavior causality problem solving Mood reflective determined analytical Type advice insightful practical When to use this quote - parenting - education - team management - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology systems thinking Questions to Reflect On - What underlying causes are you overlooking? - How can you shift focus upstream? A Different Perspective Addressing symptoms alone may miss deeper systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Paradigm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradigm/) [Paradigm shift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradigm-shift/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) ## Related quotes > [“David Dobbs said in a piece for The Atlantic, “the very genes that give us the most trouble as a species, causing behaviors that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-barker/david-dobbs-said-in-a-piece-for-the-atlantic-the-very-genes-that-give/) [Eric Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-barker/) > [I started working with brain sensing tech in labs over a decade ago and was immediately fascinated by the potential to help people peer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-garten/i-started-working-with-brain-sensing-tech-in-labs-over-a-decade-ago/) [Ariel Garten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-garten/) > [“It is the leader’s job to lead by example and enforce the values and the behaviors to set the culture for any company or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ramsay/it-is-the-leader-s-job-to-lead-by-example-and-enforce-the-values-and/) [Beth Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ramsay/) > [Leaders are not modest, and more importantly, the extensive social science research on narcissism, self-promotion, and similar constructs shows that these qualities and behaviors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/leaders-are-not-modest-and-more-importantly-the-extensive-social/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [“For design thinkers, however, behaviors are never right or wrong, but they are always meaningful. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-brown/for-design-thinkers-however-behaviors-are-never-right-or-wrong-but/) [Tim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-brown/) > [You can learn what you want to learn through hard work. And a good employer will teach you what you want to learn as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-chertavian/you-can-learn-what-you-want-to-learn-through-hard-work-and-a-good/) [Gerald Chertavian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-chertavian/) > [“It’s extremely unlikely you will be magically transformed from a mediocre or average people manager to a Satya Nadella or a Ratan Tata. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/binod-shankar/it-s-extremely-unlikely-you-will-be-magically-transformed-from-a/) Binod Shankar > [You, I, we all encounter behaviors that we might say, I wouldn't do that. But she has a huge amount of contact with how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-andrew/you-i-we-all-encounter-behaviors-that-we-might-say-i-wouldn-t-do-that/) [Prince Andrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-andrew/) > [Learned behaviors have replaced the biologically given ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/learned-behaviors-have-replaced-the-biologically-given-ones/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“It is the leader’s job to model and enforce the values and behaviors that make up the company culture. “Model” the behaviors is key.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ramsay/it-is-the-leader-s-job-to-model-and-enforce-the-values-and-behaviors/) [Beth Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ramsay/) > [“Police officers are well known for their aggressive behaviors, search "Police Officer Angry Aggression Theory". I can speak from personal experience that they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/police-officers-are-well-known-for-their-aggressive-behaviors-search/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“If your child had only your behavior to watch, what would he see? Which of your behaviors does he copy most? Smoking a cigarette?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-borba/if-your-child-had-only-your-behavior-to-watch-what-would-he-see-which/) [Michele Borba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-borba/) > [People are not their behaviors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/people-are-not-their-behaviors/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Although our inattention can contribute to our lack of total well-being, we also have the power to choose positive behaviors and responses. In that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-anderson/although-our-inattention-can-contribute-to-our-lack-of-total-well/) [Greg Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-anderson/) > [I think the word 'soul' - it depends on what you define by 'soul.' If you're defining it as a mystical aura that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-nicolelis/i-think-the-word-soul-it-depends-on-what-you-define-by-soul-if-you-re/) [Miguel Nicolelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-nicolelis/) ## More by Ross W. Greene > [People don't scream or swear or pout or sulk when there's compatibility. But most growth occurs when there's incompatibility. When it comes to resilience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/people-don-t-scream-or-swear-or-pout-or-sulk-when-there-s/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [School is very demanding these days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/school-is-very-demanding-these-days/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [“Half of teachers leave the profession within their first four years, and kids with behaviour challenges and their parents are cited as one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/half-of-teachers-leave-the-profession-within-their-first-four-years/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [A lot of parents aren't exactly sure how to go about solving a problem with a kid in a way that's mutually satisfactory -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/a-lot-of-parents-aren-t-exactly-sure-how-to-go-about-solving-a/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [We never get to see that our kid is capable of solving problems on her own. We never start to build up the faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/we-never-get-to-see-that-our-kid-is-capable-of-solving-problems-on/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [When there's a good fit between skills and expectations, there's what we call compatibility, and we would expect a good outcome. When there's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/when-there-s-a-good-fit-between-skills-and-expectations-there-s-what/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [Be your kid's collaborative partner, but also be a collaborative partner with the folks at school. Schools can be pretty unilateral too. Show them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/be-your-kid-s-collaborative-partner-but-also-be-a-collaborative/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [“Challenging behavior occurs when the demands and expectations being placed upon a child outstrip the skills he has to respond adaptively.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/challenging-behavior-occurs-when-the-demands-and-expectations-being/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [“Whether a kid is sulking, pouting, whining, withdrawing, refusing to talk, crying, spitting, screaming, swearing, running out of the classroom, kicking, hitting, destroying property,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/whether-a-kid-is-sulking-pouting-whining-withdrawing-refusing-to-talk/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [“The school discipline program isn’t working for the kids who aren’t doing well and isn’t needed by the kids who are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/the-school-discipline-program-isn-t-working-for-the-kids-who-aren-t/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [“A kid shouldn't need a diagnosis to access help.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/a-kid-shouldn-t-need-a-diagnosis-to-access-help/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [If a solution isn't mutually satisfactory, it's not going to stick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/if-a-solution-isn-t-mutually-satisfactory-it-s-not-going-to-stick/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [People still look askance at a kid in the supermarket who's pitching a fit and think the parent is not sufficiently in control or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/people-still-look-askance-at-a-kid-in-the-supermarket-who-s-pitching/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [The idea that we can take this lump of clay and mold it into a form of our choosing is absolutely ludicrous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/the-idea-that-we-can-take-this-lump-of-clay-and-mold-it-into-a-form/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [We have forgotten that those skills on the more positive side of human nature have to be taught, have to be modeled, have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/we-have-forgotten-that-those-skills-on-the-more-positive-side-of/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) [Explore all 38 Ross W. Greene quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) ## More Behavior quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) J. Willard Gibbs > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I think we've told a lot of lies about human behavior through film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/i-think-we-ve-told-a-lot-of-lies-about-human-behavior-through-film/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/the-strongest-rebellion-may-be-expressed-in-quiet-undramatic-behavior/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 4,218 Behavior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everybody is talking about the behavior. Behaviors float downstream to us. We need to paddle upstream. The problems that are causing the behaviors, that's what's waiting for us. It's a crucial paradigm shift.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ross W. Greene" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior-behaviors-float-downstream-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behavior" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior-behaviors-float-downstream-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/ross-w-greene-17138_behavior_everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior_2198620.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/ross-w-greene-17138_behavior_everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior_2198620.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/857/ross-w-greene-17138_behavior_everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior_2198620.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Everybody is talking about the behavior. Behaviors float downstream to us. We need to paddle upstream. The…” — Ross W. Greene", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ross W. Greene", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Everybody is talking about the behavior....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior-behaviors-float-downstream-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/everybody-is-talking-about-the-behavior-behaviors-float-downstream-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```