Traditional methods like rewards and punishments often fail because they treat behavior as purely willful, ignoring cognitive and emotional skill deficits. Challenges in working memory, impulse control, and emotional regulation can prevent people from acting as expected, regardless of motivation. A more effective approach is collaborative problem-solving: understanding the individual’s concerns, sharing your own, and jointly developing solutions. This method fosters trust, builds essential skills, and empowers individuals to participate in change. Case studies from psychiatric hospitals show dramatic reductions in conflict and improved outcomes when empathy replaces coercion. Rather than enforcing compliance, this science-based model addresses root causes, strengthens relationships, and creates sustainable behavioral change—proving that most people do well if they can, not just if they want to.