Reference no: EM133334933

Case Study: Change is not only necessary in life, it is life itself" (Alvin Toffler) How many times have we heard phrases like this during our lives? The climate changes, our physique, society, our opinions... Through these processes, transformations occur which make a difference, which can be called what we know as change. The concept of change can be defined as a series of modifications and alterations to already established processes.Change, although it can scare us because it is something new, is just and necessary to be able to evolve. The fear of the unknown or of leaving our comfort zone sometimes tends to create resistance and see change as an intruder, to which we close the door and veto it, without knowing what it might really mean and bring with it. In order to propel it, change agents are needed to help the team adapt and understand this process. A change agent is that person within the company who proactively promotes the transition within the work team, so that there is less resistance to transformation.

Without a doubt, supervisors must be agents of change who can serve as conduits during the transition process for their employees. The supervisor must be able to develop and implement strategies that improve the efficiency of the organization, within a favorable work environment. You must have a plan to implement the changes within your team, in such a way that the employees, rather than resisting them, are tempered by these changes and can understand the why, how, and when of these changes. In addition, change agents must play various roles such as:

Implementation of the change
Obtain feedback in, during and after the change process, to understand the results obtained
Be empathetic and be aware that not everyone adapts in the same way
Educate about the benefits and repercussions that these modifications can bring
Stimulate and actively intervene in the execution of processes during the transition
Provide suggestions and strategies that help correct and improve processes, through effective communication
It should be noted that not only supervisors can be agents of change. Regular employees like you and me can carry out this role, which plays an even more beneficial role, since we are close to our colleagues, who can emulate our behavior and commitment, and thus facilitate the adaptation process.

Innovation promotes change in companies. Today, every organization must change to survive. From the technology, products, services, the approach, the structure and the strategies of a company, they must be directed to the forefront. It is about finding new ways of execution, with the intention of improving and facilitating the processes. Innovative ideas can arise from the opinion of employees, consumers, market studies, managers, among others. Also, creativity is involved as a factor that helps reinforce competitiveness and attracts the attention of team members, so that they can feel part of and involved in the change process. This allows employees to lower their defenses when faced with change and have a genuine commitment to the company. Although the changes do not ensure success, if they are carried out under a structured plan, well thought out and executed, it minimizes the margin of error. Although, on the other hand, one learns from mistakes and gives rein to constant innovation, which allows growth and development, both for the company and its human capital. An example of this, when working in the field of banking, innovation and change are the law of the day, and even more so with the pandemic situation. Both for the accessibility of giving customers alternatives to be able to make electronic deposits, payments online or by phone, without standing in long lines for these transactions, shows that innovation makes a big difference these days. As employees, We have a hybrid work format where we have 2 days of remote work and days in person at the office, which minimizes operating expenses and provides comfort and confidence to the employee. This promotes and encourages both customers and new prospects to want to be part of the company and provides satisfaction to those who already belong.

For the changes to be ones that last and are well accepted, they are achieved if there are change agents who are in charge of promoting and injecting innovation into the way of doing things. Changes will occur regardless of the present circumstances, but to guarantee their reception and proper implementation, these key people must be present to support the staff in reducing resistance to change and offer them the advantages that these imply. His direct relationship with the team allows him to convey his trust to others, creating ties and lowering defenses, while helping the team understand the processes and effects they are going to face. In simpler words, a change agent is the transformation leader who guides the other employees hand in hand in the change process.

In conclusion, having a culture of change and innovation helps the company to be more effective, since it is prepared to receive and implement them. Being proactive helps to make a difference and stay one step ahead of the competition. This provides more than instability or insecurity, a sense of preparation and anticipation of changes, and what attitude to have when facing them. Just as we all prepare for hurricane season with our supplies and action plans, so we should be in our personal and professional lives. Being that agent of change, capable of taking the reins and being certain that change is part of growth and evolution, that each step is an opportunity to implement new ideas.

Question: About this text What do you think about the change agent ?