A change agent by any other name
July 22, 2009
Even as I start an internet radio show on BlogTalkRadio called The Change Agent’s Dilemma, at times I think we need a new, less jargon-y term for “change agent.”
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen someone with a job title of “Change Agent.” I’ve seen Manager of Change Management (isn’t that really just a Change Manager?) and Change Management Consultant among others, but never Change Agent.
I’m searching for a general term for someone who is implementing organizational change without being the one in authority. (Because there is already a term for someone in a position of authority who is implementing change => Leader.)
Here are a few ideas:
Change Facilitator
According to the dictionary, a facilitator is a person (or thing) that facilitates. And facilitates is “to make easier or less difficult; help forward (an action, a process, etc.).”
Change Practitioner
I’m on the board for Organization Change Alliance, whose vision is to be “the learning community of choice for organization development practitioners in metro Atlanta.” The dictionary lists practitioner as “a person engaged in the practice of a profession, occupation, etc.”
Change Stylist
I recently passed by a TV showing Food Network, and they showed a chef’s title as “Food Stylist.” So why not “Change Stylist?”
Change Agent
Just to keep it in the running – an agent is “one that acts or has the power or authority to act, or one empowered to act for or represent another.” Another definition (perhaps the one intended) is “a means by which something is done or caused.”
What do you think? Do we need a new title? What would you like to be called?
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When one of my friends was looking over my web site, he told me he didn’t know I was a “Changemeister.”
I am actually fine with “change agent.”