Comments on: Seven tips for being a so-called change agent

By: Mark Alves

Mark Alves — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:54:48 +0000

Part of the nurturing in #6 should include generously sharing credit, which definitely helps build allies.

By: Sue Spaight

Sue Spaight — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:28:40 +0000

GREAT advice Gerald. Thanks for adding.

Epilogue: It’s not even two weeks since I wrote this post, and it’s incredibly challenging to heed this advice, especially the “patience” part. And the “relentlessly positive” part. When you’re not getting enough sleep, and not getting enough exercise, and not getting enough time with your family, how, then, do you cultivate patience and remain relentlessly positive?

Take a deep breath, or 100 deep breaths, find a way to find more balance, and just do it…and count on your friends to give you a pep talk : )

By: Gerald Ostlund

Gerald Ostlund — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:38:21 +0000

9. Let someone else take the credit and praise. Your team will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Conversely, keep all the blame and negativity to yourself – no need to share that with your team.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:56:04 +0000

Thank you, Tim. I’ll bet you are an awesome change agent.

Proof, too, requires patience. I need to apply the “proof” point TODAY so thanks for calling it out.

I’m adding another one this morning. Don’t expect anyone to be perfect, including yourself. : )

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:29:32 +0000

Great post and comments, as always.

My favorite bit of Wisdom:

The more “proof” you have for your positions, obviously, the more credibility you will establish for the next time you suggest a change.

Amen.

Screenshots, numbers, success stories, examples from industry leaders, etc all go miles farther in changing hearts and minds than just telling someone your opinion.

Good luck and have fun on the new venture!

By: Nick Pipitone

Nick Pipitone — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:56:16 +0000

I believe that your “gentle” mode can only occur after 6 beers.

By: Ryan Thompson

Ryan Thompson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:38:59 +0000

“Sue(per) strikes again while us readers cultivate a garden of patience for her next post!”

That’s my headline. I also wrote headlines at the Onion newspaper, however most weren’t looked at and even fewer used. Sue, I’m glad you referenced Yammer, it’s a useful service I tried to pioneer over at the Onion, I wonder if they use it now. It would be great for headlines, and good ones come with patience.

Check out my latest post and tell me what you think too!

http://iheart.faqsnews.com/2009/10/renewel

By: admin

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:16:41 +0000

Great point, Bob. Thanks for adding it!

By: Tamsen McMahon (@tamadear @sametz)

Tamsen McMahon (@tamadear @sametz) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:24:56 +0000

Precisely. I spend a lot of time thinking, “how is this most likely to be heard?” 99% of the time, the way it’s most likely to be heard is NOT the way I would say / approach it if the world were filled only with me. I ask a LOT of questions, and usually hide my opinion in them. Success to me is when someone thinks the change was *their* idea.

By: Bob Fichtner

Bob Fichtner — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:22:38 +0000

A colleague of mine told me when I moved to the company last year to not lose my “alien eyes” – the ability to question everything because you don’t know “we’ve always done it that way”

It’s easier to question things when you don’t know any better.