I think I'm a Change Agent... just damn.

Two independent, but related events happened over the past week that got me to thinking... they both involve the term "Change Agent". 

I was writing a blog post on Amanda Palmer and out of nowhere found myself typing the words "Change Agent", and this made me feel funny somehow. A couple of days later I was helping a friend solve a problem with a PowerPoint presentation and her new Mac; somewhere in the conversation she called me a "Change Agent". 

To that I paused, felt funny, and corrected her by saying, "No I am not. I am just adaptable."

This did give me the idea to have some fun and write about Change Agents and create a fictitious spy agency featuring a bunch of "Archers"* all leading the charge for change, reporting to a father figure named "Chief"**, and going to all the best parties - Sounded like some good fun, and I do love change! It turned out that it was a painful chore, as I found there was always a block as I typed away; it was that funny feeling again. 

With my desire to get this posted, I figuratively looked in the mirror and whispering, "Ya I know, I'm a Change Agent... just damn" ***. It was a conflicted acknowledgement, and why the reticence you may ask? 

See being a Change Agent is all about "living in the contradiction". 

On one hand, intellectually we know survival is all about changing, evolving, adapting, and is something visionary leaders love to do... but on the other hand, deep down most of us, many of us, almost all of us, don't like change, ambivalence, or the perceived loss of control. We want the predictable because it offers a sense of security, control and safety; hence the contradiction. 

People love the concept of Change Agents but really don't want them at the "party"; they ultimately make the party list but are relegated to standing in the corner eating cocktail wiener doodles. 

I bet if you Google "Change Agent" you will get a definition something like this - "Someone who can envision the need for change and has the ability to execute on it. Usually enabled with competencies such as resource management, operational understanding and execution, strong networking abilities, influencing skills as well as intuitive leadership. (many times without a title of influence)".

Let me also add, and it goes without saying, Change Agents have a very high tolerance for change, emotionally embrace it, can operate in ambivalence and probably like being a bit of a contrarian. And by necessity, to be a good Change Agent "ya' gotta be different". 

So lucky fucking me, because deep down I really do want to make it onto the A party list and not stand in the corner. Being a Change Agent seems to be more of a calling (than an agency) and it takes you places that others tend not to go, or at least resist (sometimes with great drama). 

I guess that is who I am.

Again, we all know why we dislike change... it is not my purpose to offer any lofty position on the subject other than to say it is simply not something that bothers me; I will admit sometimes it's "inconvenient", but as "god is my witness" it's not something I fear or even uncomfortable with. And here is the simple reason... change brings opportunity.

This is my advice... stop looking at change as a bad thing because the situation will become a self fulfilling prophecy and you will miss the opportunity.

I have attached the "Who moved my Cheese" video; check it out as is is worth the 17 minutes - I love this story and share it when the "Topic of Change" comes up. (it' a great little book to hand out to people when change is "afoot")

* Archer is an American adult animated television series created by Adam Reed that follows the exploits of a secret agent.

** The  Chief was the head of CONTROL played by Edward Platt in the TV series GET SMART. (a classic)

*** Originally I said "I think I'm a Change Agent...just fuck" but calmed it down a bit for this post.