Reference no: EM132876081

Encourage People to be Change Agents and Avoid the Recipient Trap

It is clear from this chapter being a change recipient is not as energizing or exciting as being a change agent! Change agents are active and involved. Change recipients find themselves on the receiving end and may experience a lack of power and control. One way to reduce the negative effects of change is to take risks, get more involved, and become a change agent.

When people attempt to influence the events swirling about them, they are in effect, acting as their own change agents. Since they are often in subordinate roles and dependent, to varying degrees, on the actions of others, skilled people manage appropriate stakeholder analysis, followed by actions that reflect what they've learned. By demonstrating initiative, presenting ideas, taking action, and attempting to make a difference, potential change recipients can gain power in both real and perceived terms. And they will be viewed differently in the organization. As you will have recognized by now, these notions of agency and active involvement in change by organizational members, from awareness creation to ideation and implementation, are themes upon which this book is built.

Questions:

1. Please give a company and explain how they encourage people to be change agents and avoid the recipient trap.
2. What lessons you've learned from that company on how they encourage people to be change agents and avoid the recipient trap?