NOTE: This is Part 3 of a planned 6-Part series. Link to Part 2
Why do most change efforts of any substance within organizations fail? The answer: Most "change agents" are completely and ignorantly unfamiliar with the "agents of change."
Agent 3 (A3) — The Change Optimizer
Like Agent 2, A3 wants to promote change. However, A3 is focused on ensuring positive outcome of change. A3 wants better, not simply different. A3 takes the A2 "how this can work" and "what this will do" statements and filters them through goals and objectives at their highest level of organizational influence.
A3 is known across the organization as a key player that gets things done, often in spite of long odds. They exude positive energy and tend to work well with others, brokering matrix deals to secure resources and commitments beyond their organizational power.
How to Leverage A3
As early in the analyze stage of change as possible, begin to use the facts and data developed by A2 as expectation boundaries for the messages being delivered by the "spokesagent." As the change lifecycle progresses, use A3 increasingly in interactions with executive stakeholders.