Change Agent

Being the change agent is challenging, is tough, is exciting...is tiring.

I had a tough time trying to convince VM Bimbo today. I almost threw myself against the wall. I used logic, I used industry standards, I used best practices, I used governance. I used everything I could within reasoning. She still refused to budge.

First, she told me to convince the rest of the team, more than once - to which I eventually replied, I have already. Then she said that she simply don't agree. If things have to be done, let it come down from the top. OMG. I almost fainted. I think she really forgot what delegation and teamwork is all about. If things have to always come down from the top, I bet no one would be at the top at all.

I changed my approach. I became concerned about her. "So what's your concern?" "I want to hear it, I care about everyone's opinion." Then she opened her tightly clamped mouth and quoted me 2 concerns. One really isn't a concern, while the other could be addressed.

#16 then came along, and started nodding away as I spoke. I related VM Bimbo's concerns to her, and she started telling VM Bimbo - in nicer terms - to get out of her shell, and stop being so resistant to changes. I couldn't use stronger words to remind her that we have already agreed on the action plan, so move on, and stop being such a shackle.

I'm glad that tigress and #16 have been so supportive. Maybe if my key role was to play change agent, it won't be so tiring. Instead, I'm multi-tasking like a circus clown juggling 16 colored balls.

I just hope that I would be able to catch all balls at the end of the show and bow out gracefully.