Internal VS External

• Internal Change Agent or Consultant? by Jason Sheedy, 10/14/97
  • Internal/External Consultants by Steve Horn, 10/15/97
    
    

Hi, perhaps I can share my view of this issue. As an external stimulus to change you are able to remain 3rd party objective to ANY situation. Clients value this rare skill. In most situations the basic principles of Trust and Trustwortiness have eroded. An Us v.s. Them mentality exists. You must build your trust level with both the management and staff, then provide the leadership to create a "stakeholders" envioronment. It is the most effective way to be a change agent. However, when leading CHANGE you must encourage an inside out approach. Every individual must "own" the change process. They then will be "liable" for there performance. Accountability is crucial when asking people to change. This builds the trust back rapidly.

The three barriers for an internal agent are : 1) You are,or have been subjective to the work envioronment. 2) Most times you will be perceived as having your own agenda. 3) You don't have the correct "tools" to do the job.

Summary

If an organization wants an Internal change agent, they should hire one on contract. They wiil experience a higher voluntary staff turnover while trying to lead change with an existing staff member. Most organizations have had spikes as high as 42% for extended periods of times, as much as two years continuous. This is one of the first indicators of the need for an organizational effectiveness consultant. Consider that if an organization had the people or skill sets in house to guide change, why haven't they done it? Why use an internal agent that has failed to lead change as one of their every day roles. The best change agent is an external one; they get the job done. If they have done a great job, then and only then will they have made a difference in peoples lives. This is what the client wants, and what the employee wants.

"Change happens for three reasons; it happens FOR you because you genuinely deserve it. It happens TO you because of your inaction and you deserve it; or it happens WITH you as a full partner in the change process."

Which would you prefer?

With the greatest of respect, Wyatt Dupuis, M.A., C.D.C

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