Can we all act as change agents?

Recently I heard a great friend and a mentor describe herself as a change agent. For her its a double edge sword as her perspective challenges others and people are often conflicted by what she says. I think she’s brilliant and I too would like to call myself a change agent but I questioned whether I really understand what one is.

By definition a change agent is a ’ person whose presence or thought processes cause a change from the traditional way of handling or thinking about a problem; altering organizational systems and human capacity.’ I like this already. The question now becomes how can I ensure that when speaking up my thoughts I don’t become problematic, that I don’t assume a role as the devils advocate or come across as aggressive or argumentative. 

How can I act as a change agent? I have to take the risk of being misunderstood and misappreciated and remind others of the overall goal or result. I have to remind myself that the result of acting as a change agent may enable others to do more, to gain a new perspective on life. I was reminded of this as I found myself smiling reading a card from a former student employee. After she had left our company and was about to travel around Europe for the summer she sent me a thank you card and wrote ‘you give off an energy that inspires me to look at things a new way and for that I am most thankful.’ Then just today a post card arrived from Amsterdam from the same student who simply wrote ‘thank you again for everything, I am having the time of my life.’ I thought back to moments that had taken place between the two of us and I remembered sending her an email that said always remember: the journey is all. The destination is beside the point with a quote;

‘A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.’ ~Lao Tzu

So back to the question at hand can we all act as change agents? I believe that the answer is yes but not by definition or rules, planning or pre-determined journeys. We can choose to take action;

• we can improve and heal our environment
• we can create healing on a personal level at home and at work
• we can become an engaged citizen in our community, in our society and on a global level

That’s quite a list. So where can we begin? Find your passion, act upon it and inspire others. Become self-motivated and determined, change is about people so get involved. We have the power to heal others and our communities.

The best part of my day is knowing that the role of a Management Consultant is in alignment with being a change agent. Our credo states that ‘Catch Your Limit is about people paying attention to people… about the power of good ideas that passionate, motivated, fully energized people can generate.’ Perhaps then I can start to call myself a change agent, can you?

><(("> Emma Good

Emma is a ><(("> Team member at Catch Your Limit, a management firm with offices in Tallahassee, FL and Richmond, VA. To learn more, visit www.catchyourlimit.com.