{"id":1189,"date":"2015-01-12T23:40:34","date_gmt":"2015-01-13T04:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/?p=1189"},"modified":"2014-12-28T23:50:41","modified_gmt":"2014-12-29T04:50:41","slug":"the-personality-side-of-being-a-change-management-professional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/the-personality-side-of-being-a-change-management-professional\/","title":{"rendered":"The Personality Side of Being a Change Management Professional"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1190\" src=\"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/150212c-300x176.jpg\" alt=\"150212c\" width=\"300\" height=\"176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/150212c-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/150212c-1024x602.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/150212c.jpg 1148w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>First of all, let\u2019s start with the word \u201cprofessional.\u201d Well, I tried searching Google and found this one in\u00a0<a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.businessdictionary.com\/definition\/professional.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Business Dictionary<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">Person formally certified by a professional body of belonging to a specific profession by virtue of having completed a required course of studies and\/or practice. And whose competence can usually be measured against an established set of standards and\/or a person who has achieved an acclaimed level of proficiency in a calling or trade.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">That\u2019s cool then!<em> Or is it?<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">Let me just take the following key phrases from the above:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">\u201cCertified by a professional body.\u201d<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">\u201cMeasured against an established set of standards.\u201d<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">\u201cAcclaimed level of proficiency.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">I have covered my view on all of the above in a previous article called <a href=\"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/change-management-do-you-need-to-be-certified\/\">Change Management &#8212;\u00a0Do You Need to Be Certified?<\/a>,\u00a0so I don\u2019t intend to dwell on this anymore.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">Instead, let\u2019s focus more on what kind on personal attributes someone needs in order to be able to \u201ccut it\u201d as a Change Management professional. <em>Why?<\/em> Because I think this is equally, if not more important, than the three bullets above.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">Again, in my inimitable way, I like to be clear about what I mean so I checked in Google again and came up with this definition for the word attribute on\u00a0<a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.google.co.th\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;frm=1&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=0CBwQFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fexamples.yourdictionary.com%2Fexamples-of-attributes.html&amp;ei=owQCVMrYFsnH7AboiIHIDA&amp;usg=AFQjCNHQA8so5ttddGLb16v962CJNucsaw&amp;sig2=FCdz-wvqsvNmYILip9xHFA&amp;bvm=bv.74115972,d.bGQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Your Dictionary<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">An attribute is a quality or characteristic of a person, place or thing. Personal attributes are character traits or personality traits.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">So, let\u2019s have a look at a sample selection of what I mean by this.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">I quote on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/profile\/view?id=7145156\">my LinkedIn profile<\/a> the following list of attributes which I aspire to. These were taken from &#8220;<a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cmperme.com\/pdf\/cmp9906.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Agents of Change dtd June 1999<\/a>:&#8221;<\/p>\n<ul style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">A clear mind that is not cluttered with unresolved issues, unexamined motives or pre-conceived ideas.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Eyes that can see beyond today.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Ears that can listen to other points of view.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">A nose that can sense opportunities and timing.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">A mouth that can speak out with honesty and respect.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">A heart that can feel others\u2019 pain and respond to it.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">A fire in the belly that provides passion and responsibility and makes me want to get up in the morning.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Skillful hands that can do work as well as strategy.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Light feet that can move swiftly when the timing is right.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The soul of a warrior with a deep sense of honour, perseverance along with a willingness to act decisively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">I also recently published an article called <a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/article\/20140721140332-7145156-chef-de-change\" target=\"_blank\">Chef de Change<\/a>,\u00a0which likened the attributes needed to be a good change agent to those of a Chef; e.g.:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Creativity.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Passion.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Business Sense.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Attention to Detail.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Team Player.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Practice.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Multitask.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Commitment to Quality.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Quick Decisions.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Handle Criticism.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">And from the <a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"http:\/\/change-management-toolbook.com\/change-management-blogs\/2009\/03\/what-makes-a-great-change-manager-my-current-list-of-top-5-attributes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Change Management Toolbox<\/a>\u00a0blog:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Ability to \u201cmake things happen\u201d.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Grit.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Conceptual ability and agility.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Humility.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The ability to engage authentically.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">Then from <a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.changedesigns.net\/public\/organisation\/change\/The-role-of-a-change-master.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Change Designs<\/a>\u00a0the following list:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Diagnostician and developer of clear change goals.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The Facilitator.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The Designer.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The Project Manager.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The Educator.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">The Marketer.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Inspiration Agent.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Systems Integrator and Coordinator.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Monitor.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">Daryl Connor also addressed this issue in 2012 in his first of his two blogs on \u201cAssessing Leaders for Change\u201d called <a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.connerpartners.com\/frameworks-and-processes\/assessing-leaders-for-change-roles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Assessing Leaders for Change Roles<\/a>,\u00a0from which the following are just a few of the many attributes\/characteristics:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Approaches change as a process rather than an event.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Has a quick, thoughtful, and decisive manner when making decisions.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Strikes the right balance between inviting participation and making unilateral decisions.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Communicates directly.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Self-assured without appearing presumptuous.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">I could go on forever with these lists if I wanted to, but, don\u2019t worry, I won\u2019t. What I would like to do is just delve a little deeper into something called \u201ccharisma.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">In my recent article called <a href=\"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/change-management-methodologies\/\" target=\"_blank\">Change Management Methodologies<\/a>\u00a0I talked about charisma&#8211;i.e. I read an interesting article published by the Fast Company last year called \u201c<a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/favicon.ico\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Cultivating Charisma: How Personal Magnetism can Help (or Hurt) you at Work<\/a>\u201d by Olivia Fox Cabane author of \u201cThe Charisma Myth,\u201d in which she says, \u201cThere\u2019s no one form of charisma that is good or bad per se. There\u2019s only the right form of charisma for the particular situation\u201d and \u201cIt\u2019s charisma that helps determine which ideas get adopted and how effectively your projects are implemented.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">But can you develop charisma or is it something you were born with?<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">This article called \u201c<a style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; color: #7b539d;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Charismatic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">How to Be Charismatic<\/a>\u201d on wikiHow seems to think you can as it cites the following (<em>oops sorry another list<\/em>):<\/p>\n<ol style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Exude confidence.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Show charisma through your body language.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Make people feel special.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Be witty.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit;\">Be engaging.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">My personal view is that whilst you can develop confidence, you cannot develop charisma.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">I\u2019ll bet you are wondering what the point of all this is!<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">What I am alluding to is that a person who has a calling to be a Change Manager not only needs an amount of training and experience, but also needs many personal attributes\/characteristics to be successful at what they do. Clearly, training is the first rung of the ladder which is followed by experience, but personal attributes\/characteristics are those that are already there, but (to an extent) can be nurtured and honed through experience.<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #4d4f51;\">Basically, a Change Manager needs to be many things to many people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First of all, let\u2019s start with the word \u201cprofessional.\u201d Well, I tried searching Google and found this one in\u00a0Business Dictionary: Person formally certified by a professional body of belonging to a specific profession by virtue of having completed a required course of studies and\/or practice. And whose competence can usually be measured against an established&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/the-personality-side-of-being-a-change-management-professional\/\" rel=\"bookmark\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">The Personality Side of Being a Change Management Professional<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[228,607,608],"class_list":["post-1189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-organization","tag-change-management","tag-change-manager","tag-charisma"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1189"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1189\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1191,"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1189\/revisions\/1191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flevy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}