The way I see it, there are two ways we can respond to the rollercoaster that is 2020—either by avoiding it or embracing it by becoming a change agent.
Because of my personal leadership philosophy, I choose the latter.
Throughout my life, I’ve embraced change as a way to propel my development. I’ve pursued new degrees, new career opportunities, new relationships, and new cities. It’s why my recent move from Las Vegas to Washington, D.C., the epicenter of change, in the middle of a global pandemic, less than 60 days before a presidential election, felt like the next logical step in my leadership evolution. It’s how I stay active as a change agent in my own life and my own business.
But, let’s be real, change can be hard, and it can be scary. We’re seeing that in our world every day. Without the foundation that personal leadership can give you, making big moves can be terrifying. However, if you can leverage personal leadership to help develop your resilience, self-reliance and self-confidence, then you can position yourself as a change agent in your own life and career.
What is a change agent?
Typically, a change agent is identified as a person or people who are part of an organizational shift. It’s someone who helps an organization transform and improve by spotting opportunities where change is necessary and crucial for growth. According to Michigan State University, effective change agents are flexible, open-minded, growth-oriented, priority and results-focused, good listeners and responsible.
Sound familiar?
All of these qualities can be developed through a consistent practice and pursuit of personal leadership. Once you commit to taking an active leadership role in your own life, you develop the inner tools you need to navigate change for yourself and whatever organization you choose to help.
Creating change on your terms
Change scares us, but facing fear directly is what propels us through our personal and professional lives.
If you or your organization want more—to expand, grow, and evolve to achieve goals in line with your vision—you’re also looking for change. The tricky thing is you have to be open to the unknown in order to get somewhere new. More often than not, change occurs whether we like it or not. The one constant in life is change. So how do we lead and respond with change?
One tool is a change navigation matrix I’ve developed. It helps individuals and organizations address transformations that they are either seeking, or those that are happening outside of their control.
Change you are seeking |
Change you did not seek |
|
Individual |
How to prepare?
What do you need?
|
How to respond?
What do you need?
|
Organizational |
How to prepare?
How do you motivate others?
What are the next steps?
|
How to respond?
What do you need?
How do you motivate others?
What are the next steps?
|
Becoming your own change agent
I’d like to change the lens and turn the idea of being a change agent inward. Leadership is an inside job, and so is change. If you can become your own inspiration and influence for thriving through ambiguity and uncertainty, then you can take that skill set and turn it outward to help others.
Keep crushing it, and we’ll talk soon.
Kylie
