--- title: Building effective change leadership in your organization description: Change leadership is important to implementing successful change. Through the years we have seen that effective change leadership is central to successful CM image: https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/Email%20Images/2018/February/Reaching%20Change%20Management%20Maturity-600x350.jpg --- [![Changefirst_logo_Hubspot.png](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/Changefirst_logo_Hubspot.png?width=174&height=61&name=Changefirst_logo_Hubspot.png "Changefirst_logo_Hubspot.png")](http://www.changefirst.com) [Contact us](https://changefirst.com/contact-us) [+44 (0) 1444 450777](tel:+44-0-1444-450777) [Solutions](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions) ### Solutions Change Management Solutions matched to your specific business needs. #### [![orgainizations](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/orgainizations.jpeg) For Organizations Engage more of your people in change with a cost effective and scalable solution that builds sustainable capability.](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/organisations) #### [![consulting-firms](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/consulting-firms.jpeg) For Consulting Teams Digitalize and differentiate your Change Management practice, quickly on-board new hires and create ‘sticky’ client relationships](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/consulting-firms) #### [![change professionals](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/change%20professionals.jpeg) For Change & Project Experts Deliver strategic projects, support Executives through continuous change and add new tools, skills and Certification to your playbook](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/change-and-project-professionals) #### [![technology companies](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/technology%20companies.jpeg) For Technology Companies Take advantage of the missing ingredient in your Adoption Services model. To drive higher adoption rates for clients and improve renewal rates](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/technology-companies) #### [![drive up adoption](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/drive%20up%20adoption.jpg) Drive up adoption Focus on engaging people in your technology roll-out projects. To drive successful adoption and deliver projected business outcomes](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/drive-up-adoption) #### [![deliver projects](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/deliver%20projects.jpg) Deliver projects more succcessfully Get business-critical projects delivered right, first time. By ensuring you have more change capability and higher engagement levels](https://www.changefirst.com/deliver-projects-more-successfully) #### [![build ECM capacility](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/build%20ECM%20capacility.jpg) Build ECM capability Change is no longer the ‘secret sauce’ of a few individuals in your organisation. So creating the capacity for business-critical changes is crucial](https://www.changefirst.com/build-ECM-capability) #### [![upskilling of teams](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/upskilling%20of%20teams.jpg) Quickly upskilling your teams Make change everyone’s business by getting consistent change skills, tools and support to distributed and remote teams](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/upskilling-of-teams) #### [![agile change management](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/agile%20change%20management.jpg) Develop an agile change culture Create an agile Change culture by fostering a mind-set that 'change is your business'. As part of an enterprise-wide approach](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/agile-change-management) #### [![credibility](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/credibility.jpg) Gain credibility and differentiate yourself Gain the credibility you need to deliver effective Change inside your organisation and differentiate yourself from the rest of the crowd](https://www.changefirst.com/gain-credibility-and-differentiate-yourself) [Products](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-products/roadmap-pro) ### Products This will be the products group #### [![roadmap pro](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/roadmap%20pro.jpeg) Roadmap Pro® - digital OCM platform Transform the way Change Management is planned and executed across your organization. With digital skills, methods and tools for faster, more sustainable business result](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-products/roadmap-pro) [Training](https://www.changefirst.com/training) ### Training Role-relevant training solutions for leaders, their teams and professionals to build rapid, sustainable change capabilities #### [![executive](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/executive.jpeg) Leaders, Heads of Business & Steering Teams Executive Bootcamps - learning for senior leaders tasked with sponsoring strategic change and building sustainable Organisational Change Capability](https://www.changefirst.com/training/executive) #### [![change agent](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/change%20agent.jpeg) Change, Project and Internal development professionals Robust, action focused training course and certification for CMOs, PMO and anyone helping leaders drive major business change](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-agent) #### [![local teams](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/local%20teams.jpeg) Line Managers, local teams, HRBPs & Communication Experts Workshops and learning development programs focused on compelling change communication, sponsor behaviour, assessing people risks, data driven planning and effective engagement.](https://www.changefirst.com/training/manager-and-local-teams) #### [![on demand individual](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/on%20demand%20individual.jpeg) Employees, large groups & accidental/new change agents Learning ‘on-demand’ to introduce key change management methods and development coaching to build help individual resilience.](https://www.changefirst.com/training/on-demand-individual) #### [![change projects introductory](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/change%20projects%20introductory.jpg) Project and Programme Managers (Introductory) Learn a structed approach to people-change processes, activities and measures designed to improve project success](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-projects-introductory) #### [![change projects intermediate](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/change%20projects%20intermediate.jpg) Project and Programme Managers (Intermediate) Initiate local change initiatives right, first time and in a people - centred way](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-projects-intermediate) #### [![train the trainer](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/train%20the%20trainer.jpg) Train-the-Trainer Build an internal community of Change Experts and create agility in your internal Change Training](https://www.changefirst.com/training/train-the-trainer) #### [![](https://res.cloudinary.com/changefirst-media/uploads/Content_Licencing_Menu_Sized_TP_84ed8849b6.jpg) Content licensing Licence our proven Change Management materials and establish a standardised approach to delivering change across your organisation](https://www.changefirst.com/training/content-licensing) #### [![certification](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/certification.jpg) Certification Recognise your investment in Change Management training and development with individual and organisational level Certification](https://www.changefirst.com/training/certification) #### [![coaching and consulting](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/coaching%20and%20consulting.jpg) Application Coaching and Consulting We provide 6 week to 6 month partner packages that enable us to partner with you to accelerate your change success](https://www.changefirst.com/training/application-coaching-and-consulting) [Methodologies](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies) ### Methodologies This will be the methodologies page group #### [![pci](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/pci.jpeg) PCI® - People - Centred Implementation Changefirst’s research-based, highly practical, results-oriented methodology, for planning and executing the people-side of change, to achieve sustainable organisational results](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies/pci) #### [![pai](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/pai.jpeg) PAI – Personal Adaptability Inventory PCI® People-Centred Implementation Changefirst’s proprietary psychometric, with development system, help leaders and their teams develop resilience and adaptability for change](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies/pai) [Resources](https://www.changefirst.com/resources) ### Resources All the resources you need to help build your Change Management capability. #### [![resources](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/resources.jpeg) Whitepapers Download our latest Change Management whitepapers.](https://www.changefirst.com/resources) #### [![videos](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/videos.jpeg) Videos Watch our latest Change Management videos.](https://www.changefirst.com/resources#videos) #### [![blog](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/blog.jpeg) Blogs Read our latest Change Management blogs.](https://blog.changefirst.com/) [About us](https://www.changefirst.com/about-us) [Contact](https://www.changefirst.com/contact-us) Solutions [For Organizations](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/organisations) [For Consulting Teams](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/consulting-firms) [For Change & Project Experts](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/change-and-project-professionals) [For Technology Companies](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/technology-companies) [Drive up adoption](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/drive-up-adoption) [Deliver projects more succcessfully](https://www.changefirst.com/deliver-projects-more-successfully) [Build ECM capability](https://www.changefirst.com/build-ECM-capability) [Quickly upskilling your teams](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/upskilling-of-teams) [Develop an agile change culture](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/agile-change-management) Products [Roadmap Pro® - digital OCM platform](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-products/roadmap-pro) Training [Leaders, Heads of Business & Steering Teams](https://www.changefirst.com/training/executive) [Change, Project and Internal development professionals](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-agent) [Line Managers, local teams, HRBPs & Communication Experts](https://www.changefirst.com/training/manager-and-local-teams) [Employees, large groups & accidental/new change agents](https://www.changefirst.com/training/on-demand-individual) [Project and Programme Managers (Introductory)](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-projects-introductory) [Project and Programme Managers (Intermediate)](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-projects-intermediate) [Train-the-Trainer](https://www.changefirst.com/training/train-the-trainer) [Content licensing](https://www.changefirst.com/training/content-licensing) [Certification](https://www.changefirst.com/training/certification) [Application Coaching and Consulting](https://www.changefirst.com/training/application-coaching-and-consulting) Methodologies [PCI® - People - Centred Implementation](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies/pci) [PAI – Personal Adaptability Inventory PCI®](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies/pai) Resources [Whitepapers](https://www.changefirst.com/resources) [Videos](https://www.changefirst.com/resources#videos) [Blogs](https://blog.changefirst.com/) [About us](https://www.changefirst.com/about-us) [Contact](https://www.changefirst.com/contact-us) # [Welcome to the Changefirst Blog](https://blog.changefirst.com) # Building effective change leadership in your organization Posted by [David Miller](https://blog.changefirst.com/author/david-miller) Change leadership has always been an important component of implementing successful change. But the need for [effective change leadership](https://www.changefirst.com/training/executive) and the role of leadership in organizational change has been brought into even sharper focus by the increased level of change that organizations have had to deal with in recent months. It may seem obvious, but too often we have seen this concept only given lip service, with change leaders appointed - but without those individuals fully embracing their role and showing real leadership for change.  ![Building Effective Change Leadership](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Email%20Images/2018/February/Reaching%20Change%20Management%20Maturity-600x350.jpg?width=776&name=Reaching%20Change%20Management%20Maturity-600x350.jpg) ## **The three change leadership roles** Effective Change Management leadership is built on three separate leadership roles, each with different levels of power to provide direction, guidance and support across the depth and breadth of the organization:  - **Sponsor role**: brings formal organizational power to authorize, initiate and reinforce change. - **Agent role**: adds power to the project with a clear responsibility for planning and execution. - **Influencer role**: often lacks formal authority, but has significant informal power and influence within the change environment. For successful change leadership, these roles use their power to operate effectively as a network.  ![The Three Change Leadership Roles](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/April2017/ChangeLeadershipRoles.png?width=2585&name=ChangeLeadershipRoles.png "Change Leadership Roles")   There is no substitute for active sponsorship from change leaders, however effective change leadership is not just about the words and actions of senior people. The support of middle and front-line managers must be enlisted; the ability of managers to help teams adapt to change is a cornerstone of managing successful organizational change.  Underpinning the whole change effort is the role of the change agent, who provides guidance and direction, and ensures the sponsors intentions are carried out. ## **Change leadership can be taught** Some individuals have a natural affinity for taking general leadership roles, while others have a need for training before assuming an effective role of leadership in the change process. But all leaders require ongoing development of their leadership skills. The same holds true for change leaders.  While some individuals may have a natural affinity for some of the skills we see in great change leaders, being an effective change leader is not necessarily an inherent trait.  It can be learned, and above all must be nurtured and developed.  Even the most experienced change leaders gain benefit from taking a step back and reviewing their strengths and weaknesses from an objective viewpoint, and targeting areas for development.   [![AdaptiveLeadersWebSiteContentPromotionPanelTP](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20and%20Website%20EbookPromoImages/AdaptiveLeadersWebSiteContentPromotionPanelTP.png?width=650&name=AdaptiveLeadersWebSiteContentPromotionPanelTP.png)](https://info.changefirst.com/ebook-a-guide-to-adaptive-change-leadership-in-disruptive-times)   ## **Essential change leadership skills** Understanding what skills to identify, train and nurture is the next step in building your change leadership capability. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be looking in more detail at the change sponsor role.  This week however, we wanted to share the key skills of a change agent. This leadership role is pivotal in every change project. Not only does the change agent need to have a strong understanding of the mechanics of a [change management framework](https://info.changefirst.com/our-change-management-methodology-how-pci-helps-you-implement-change), but they need to engage and influence across the organization while also ensuring the change management plan is on track. In our experience, we have found that [great change agents have the following skills](https://info.changefirst.com/are-you-a-great-change-manager), identified in 12 dimensions.  ![Twelve Skills of Great Change Agents](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/April2017/Description%20of%20what%20effective%20change%20agents%20do.png?width=4174&name=Description%20of%20what%20effective%20change%20agents%20do.png "Description of what effective change agents do") ### **Change agents play a pivotal role in building effective change leadership** Change agents do not only need to be effective change leaders themselves, they need to ensure that the right network of change sponsors is in place, and the change sponsors have the right skills and information to drive change across the organization. Ensure your change leadership training and coaching is actually addressing the specific skill gaps in your organization.  While general change management training has its place, especially for those who are new to change management, targeted training and coaching will take your change leadership to the next level. You can easily and accurately assess the effectiveness of your change leadership structure through the Change Agent and Sponsor Assessment tools, both of which form part of our PCI [change management methodology](https://www.changefirst.com/ourapproach) (and available on [Roadmap Pro](https://www.changefirst.com/product/roadmappro)). ### **Building effective change leadership** Building effective change leadership in your organization is more than just holding a change management workshop for key staff.  Leadership in change is about ensuring the 3 key leadership roles work together to drive change. It is about ensuring your change agent has the skills to drive the people change elements of a program, as well as coach and support the change sponsors. And finally, it is about [using data](https://info.changefirst.com/using-real-time-data-to-drive-your-decision-making) to objectively assess where your organization’s change leadership skills need bolstering, remembering that change leadership is a skill that can be taught. The key to delivering on your change leadership strategy is to have the structured approach to delivering change across your organization. One key component of this to give your executive teams the tools and skills to help them succeed in what is an increasingly disrupted and competitive environment. Which is where our [Executive Bootcamp](https://www.changefirst.com/training/executive) comes in.  --- | ![ManagingTeamsSquare](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ManagingTeamsSquare.png?width=350&name=ManagingTeamsSquare.png)   |   |   **Give your leaders the tools and skills to succeed** Find out about our immersive and [highly interactive Bootcamp](https://www.changefirst.com/training/executive) which is focused on developing the role of your leaders in change.   [![LEARN MORE](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2401974/68ce80a9-6d79-44ac-8581-6e341a333743.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2401974/68ce80a9-6d79-44ac-8581-6e341a333743) | | --- | --- | --- | ![David Miller](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/David%20200x200.png) Posted by [David Miller](https://blog.changefirst.com/author/david-miller) David Miller is the Chairman and Founder of Changefirst, a global training and consulting organisation which specialises in Organisational Change Management. He has helped organisations successfully implement major change for the last 25 years. Initially as a Senior Executive for American Express and more recently with clients ranging from HSBC, BT, Roche Pharmaceuticals and The Linde Group. David was a regular speaker at a range of Change and Transformation events globally on key industry themes including Agile Change Management and the use of digital in Change Management. Find me on: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-miller-changefirst/) Tags: [change management](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-management), [change leadership](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-leadership), [Change Management methodology](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-management-methodology), [change projects](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-projects), [effective change leadership](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/effective-change-leadership), [organizational change](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/organizational-change), [change leaders](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-leaders) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Leave a comment Search Blog ### Keep me updated ### Recent Posts ### SHARE THE BLOG ### Posts by Tag [![](https://changefirst.com/images/Icons/Social_LI.svg)](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/changefirst) [![](https://changefirst.com/images/Icons/Social_TW.svg)](https://twitter.com/Changefirst) [![](https://changefirst.com/images/Icons/Social_VM.svg)](https://vimeo.com/changefirst) [![](https://changefirst.com/images/Icons/Social_FB.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/Changefirst-129807110363683/) [Website T&Cs](https://info.changefirst.com/website-tcs)    |     [Security Policy](https://info.changefirst.com/security-statement)    |     [Privacy Policy](https://info.changefirst.com/privacy-policy)    |     [Cookie Policy](https://info.changefirst.com/cookie-policy)