SEU Change Agent Traits and Characteristics Discussion

“A change agent is someone—often seen by organizational leaders—as one who promotes change and its merits to other stakeholders. A change agent, therefore, takes a leadership role in ensuring that others in the organization recognize the importance of, and need for, change. A change agent can be referred to as a “champion for change,” supporting organizational management in disseminating the value and benefits of the proposed change. The intended result is to galvanize the organization to embrace a different, more positive future. This module focuses on how a person can become a change agent. It also explores the influences that a change agent can have throughout an organization.”

One of the most fascinating components of the change management process is the change agent. The change agent, who can be a leader, manager, employee, consultant, or customer, is a person who is often at the center of the change management process and performs several critical functions in the overall process.

Discuss the following regarding change agents:

Define the concept of a change agent, including the traits and characteristics that best represent a change agent in today’s organization.

Discuss the role of a change agent in the change management process (e.g., formal or informal role, position of authority or power, etc.).

Assess how a change agent can influence the generation, direction, success, or failure of a change initiative.

Finally, assess any challenges a change agent may have in the change process (e.g., not agreeing with the change, management not truthfully sharing the repercussions of the change, etc.) and how these challenges should be addressed.