Download - How to Become a Change Agent
How to Become a Change Agent
Key Points • Clearly defining the role of a Change Agent • 10 Characteristics of a Change Agent • Is Change project based or continual? “Change is the new normal for leadership success and all leaders must accept this fact.” (Forbes: Every Leader Must Be A Change Agent Or Face Extinction) There is a great article in Forbes by Glenn Llopis that reviews 10 key points to challenge the capabilities of a Change Agent. I love this article and in my own research on the topic, I have not come upon anything more succinct than this. And while developing my own article on the topic, I felt too drawn into his insight that I could not stray from his key points. So with that said and with full respect to Glenn’s research, I feel that it is best that I follow his 10 key points but give my own view on each. Article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2014/03/24/every-‐leader-‐must-‐be-‐a-‐change-‐agent-‐or-‐face-‐extinction/
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1) Clearly defining the role of a Change Agent Defining the Change Agent’s role within a company is different depending on the industry, maturity of the company, and target audience. To me, a Change Agent can be somebody who helps the company evolve/change/transform itself through any type of improvement, evolution or efficiency. The Change Agent is somebody who can do these things from within the company or from outside the company. The Change Agent does not always have to be somebody at the executive level. The Change Agent can be anybody within the company who can effectively do these things. The Change Agent doesn’t always have to be in a management or leadership role. The output of the Change Agent does not always have to make large sweeping efforts to be effective. The efforts of the Change Agent can be small, but they must be very effective.
2) 10 Characteristics of a Change Agent As mentioned before, a great article in Forbes magazine by Glenn Llopis inspired the 10 characteristics below. If you’re planning to become a Change Agent or you already see yourself as a Change Agent within your company, then these 10 characteristics will best define you role and will help you create success.
1. Multigenerational influence In a previous article, we talked about Managing Across Generations in the workplace and that most companies will have at least 3 to 4 different generations working in the same office building, some may have five. Because of this, you cannot just take comfort in your own generation. You must be able to work across generations to make things happen.
2. Knowledge today’s cultural influence
To complement the need to work across generations, it’s also important to be very well aware of the cultures within your office and the cultures that surround your office. Understanding and being cognizant of people’s cultures will allow you to be more accepted when making a Change.
3. Knowing your macro business environment
If what you’re trying to affect reaches outside of your company, it’s imperative that you are aware of how to deal with the current environment outside of your business and be familiar in how those changes will affect your decisions.
4. Knowing your internal audience
In order to drive Change across your company, you will need to get internal buy-‐in from key members and leaders. Remember that the most influential people usually are not Leaders, but mid-‐level employees with tenure or strong credibility. Seek them out and gain their support.
5. Building a support team
Every Leader/Change Agent finds success through the backing of a strong supportive team. As the driver of Change, you are the catalyst that keeps the momentum but you know your limits and you know your weaknesses. You have to learn how to scale your efforts by drawing from the strengths of those around you.
6. Don’t fear the unknown
With your eyes set on the future in an unknown environment, you will be certain to find situations that are unknown and with no recognized solution. Don’t back away from the unknown and take it head on. If this situation is not one of your strengths, then seek out a member of your support team for help.
7. Managing failures There are no easy roads for a Change Agent. You will stumble along the way and you will definitely have your fair share of failures. Here are some great quotes about finding success through failure. “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Robert F. Kennedy “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas A. Edison “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
8. Promoting your vision
Just like #4 and #5, without the support of others, you will not succeed. But as a great motivator, your enthusiasm can only carry the team for so long. Rather than promoting a set of values to them, promote a vision. Something that people can latch on to. A strong vision will always survive the failures over time. A strong vision can best translate to everyone involved.
9. Clearly communicate milestones
A common mistake with most trying to affect Change is forgetting to communicate key successes or wins. Think of these as milestones. Whether it’s through email, phone or monthly lunches, you need to develop a consistent method of communication with your stakeholders. Without this, you will be sure to lose support along the way.
10. You are always selling
As the driver of Change, you will be wearing multiple hats. You will be the leader, project manager, researcher, motivator, marketer, IT support, and every other role that a Change Agent could take. No matter what hat you are wearing at any given time, the one hat that you will never be able to take off is the sales person. Because you will only be satisfied with your vision reaching fruition. It will take you selling the hell out of this all day, every day.
3) Is Change project based or continual? This is a tough one to answer. Because we earlier defined a Change Agent as anybody within/outside a company that can effectively make a difference, then we should also be able to state that Change can be both project based or something that is perpetual and continual. I think the best way to answer this question is without truly defining an answer. And with that I will let this paraphrased quote from a great article in the Huffington Post answer that question.
“Because the world is changing, the market is changing, customers are changing and the competition is changing, companies need to embrace change. In order to be a change agent for the rest of the company, everyone needs to be very comfortable with changing itself first, yet in many organizations Management is not on the leading edge of transformation.” (Huffington Post). …And because of this, someone needs to stand up, take charge, and make Change. In Conclusion The world around you is changing everyday. If you have the passion to drive that Change within your company, and a vision for others to follow, your successes will soon be seen as great Leadership. “Change is the new normal for leadership success and all leaders must accept this fact.” (Forbes: Every Leader Must Be A Change Agent Or Face Extinction) Visit our blog at http://www.artofthewingman.com.