Consider Becoming A Change Agent
Change is coming. Oh boy is it coming and we arent even sure how to handle it! This was the message from IBM latest Global CEO Survey. Over 1000 CEOS from 40 different nations were interviewed. In this article, we want to present youa few key findings that will certainly help you take advantage of future employment opportunities. Failing to heed the warnings from these CEOs could easily leave you lost and all alone, wondering where you company and job have gone. Of course, theres no need to worry, weve got a plan to make you more desirable in such uncertain times.
Heres what you need to know about the future of work and the corporate landscape from IBMs survey:
8 out of 10 CEOs are expecting significant change in the future
This should be no big surprise since one only needs to unfold the latest release of a newspaper to witness the ongoing saga of major corporate change. The pages of the business section are adorned with hostile bids, failing airlines and big companies swallowing the little ones.
CEOs dont plan to continue globalization as they have in the past
Collaboration will take center stage as companies cease to export portions of their organization overseas but will most likely seek out capable business partners to support their global efforts. As other countries begin to develop the infrastructure to support business, the real global marketplace will begin to take shape. Companies will partner with other companies rather than spend money to setup operations abroad.
22% of CEOS dont know how to manage the upcoming change
In 2006, IBM performed the same Global CEO Survey but at that time only 8% of CEOs were unsure what methods should be used to manage the impending change in the global business landscape. As this result indicates, the fast pace of change is making it more difficult for leaders to handle it. Heres your opportunity to stand out. Be a change agent. Help management define and implement their change strategy as well as build a change ready culture.
It seems it was only a decade ago when organizations began the big push for the creation of teams to create and implement desired structural change. Now, our leaders are telling us more change is coming and it will more than likely be moving at a faster pace than can be managed. Since we are still in the team approach mode of operation, you can take action now to be the team player every leader wants; that is, one who embraces collaboration to drive the maximization of position in response to changing conditions. In other words, you become the person who makes the best of the situation by inspiring and motivating others to engage in teamwork to drive change.
To become the best change agent in your company, heres what you should do:
- Defend the need for change. The organization leaders have already stated that change will be needed and is on its way. Join and defend the need for change. Be seen as one who can help convince others of its importance and lead the way in implementing it. Most research shows that change initiatives fail because of employee resistance.
- Build a change network. Establish relationships with other organizational members who actively engage in change initiatives. This will be your support group for developing creative ideas when change efforts grow stagnant. If youre going to be a leader in change, youll need to keep things moving.
- Balance expectations. Teams often lose focus because the individual expectations are not aligned with the organizations expectations for the outcome of the initiative. Make sure all expectations are known so that they can be managed. Everyone has a stake in change but will be affected differently, so a different strategy will be needed for each. The first step is to know what is expected.
- Lead the change. Change is often considered to be threatening. Theres no better way to prove the water isnt too cold than to be the first jump in. Being a change agent is about leading which means you will often be the one who has to take the first step.
- Be Innovative. As already mentioned, leaders are running into brick walls when it comes to dealing with the barrage of change. Make yourself a great source of ideas by reading and learning about change management with your in-house network and through websites, associations, etc.
As we move into the new global market, youll have plenty of opportunities to give your input and have it heard, demonstrate your value to the organization and become a part of the leadership. Making a name for yourself can be done more easily by stepping up to the challenge of change and proving you can deal with it. Thats what being a change agent is all about. You just have to show your leadership that when it comes to change, they will certainly want you to be on their side.
© 2009
