Topic 4 DQ 1.,WELL EXPLAINED CLEARLY.

Discuss the importance of a change agent and a guiding team. What is the purpose of each, and what traits make them successful? A change agent brings transformation to an organization by implementing new methodologies, improving business processes, the structure of management, and interpersonal interactions (Rouse, n.d.). A change agent may be internal or external. Internal change agents are people familiar with the company’s culture and operations. External change agents offer consultation of operational inefficiencies and suggest change options (Rouse, n.d.). A guiding team or coalition is a group of individuals who work for an organization in the process of restructuring operations. This team is best made up of twenty-five to thirty individuals across the organization. They will come from all levels of the organization and will guide all the other steps that necessary to make something big happen (Kotter, 2011). Whenever an organization finds it necessary to implement change, change agents are appointed or hired to make the change process efficient removing barriers and creating a streamlined process. Therefore, the change agent is very important for organizations seeking change. There are several purposes for having a change agent and guiding team. A change agent facilitates an organization to achieve the objectives of change efficiently. The change agent motivates the team to undergo the change process and celebrates small wins. The change agent and guiding team advises the necessity of change to the stakeholders. The guiding team provides the workforce and management with the required training to sustain and hardwire the change process (Stagl, 2011). The traits that make changes agents successful are flexibility, diversified knowledge, priority and results focused, ownership, responsibility, and effective listening skills (Qualities of Effective Change Agents, 2019). These traits enable change agents to manage change smoothly and mitigate risk. Failing to manage change effectively can be detrimental to an organization and their growth.