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No THERE's a cliche phrase - change agent. Like most middle managers feel like AGENTS of change. Sure, we all instigate/catalyze changes from time to time. Some of us more than others. But most of the time, we are needing to pick up the ball - someone else's ball - and make it work.
That's the nature of management - we make things work and we execute a vision, goal, strategy or change - many of them - that comes our way from somewhere else. The best middle managers get this and embrace this. It is what we do (and yes, we need to initiate changes, too)
So I might reword change agent to be called - change baker. Like that? We put the ingredients together and bake a change. Are your changes fully baked?
In any event, check out this post from Eric Brown called, So You Want to Be a Change Agent. Good tips for both change agents and change bakers.
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Thanks for the link to my post...I like the 'baker' idea. That is what you do when you initiate long term change...bake it into the organization.
Posted by: Eric D. Brown | June 29, 2009 at 09:39 PM
Yes, baking it into the org.... I am getting hungry for a cherry pie now. Bring baked goods (buy from Panera if you are like me and don't know a rolling pin from a bobby pin) to you next staff meeting and see what changes.
Posted by: lisa haneberg | June 29, 2009 at 09:49 PM
I will prefer to become an agent of time. Because change already has a famous agent - Seth Godin!
Posted by: strategic management | July 01, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Change Baker. Like that. In a way it sounds more proactive and productive. Agent leaves me with a chemical taste in my mouth. Baker - sweet smell of success :)
Posted by: Fred H Schlegel | July 02, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Speaking of helping people to change your newest book is a winner for Boomers reinventing themselves or staying relevant... also helpful for any age. You stay so cutting edge (and non-fluff) with each new book. I was moved to twitter it. Kudos
http://www.amazon.com/Hip-Sage-Staying-Competitive-Workplace/dp/0891062459/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246655577&sr=8-1
Posted by: kare anderson | July 03, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Kare - Thanks so much for the tweet and the kind words about Hip and Sage!
Fred - yes, bakers are some of the hardest workers, and they often do it with love. As should managers.
Posted by: lisa haneberg | July 03, 2009 at 09:25 PM