Leading change involves a number of skills, happens at various levels, requires clear communication and leadership flexibility, and often functions differently at individual and organizational levels.

Key leadership skills that change agents need in moving an idea forward include:

1. Tuning into the environment and really listening to people. One of the hardest things I ever did was ask my staff for honest feedback on my leadership. It turned out to be one of the best ways to bring about personal change and initiate change in the organization.



2. Challenging the prevailing organizational wisdom. Sometimes what worked best in the past no longer applies to the current context. We best respect history when we build on it.

3. Communicating compelling aspirations. Proverbs 13:12 underlines the importance of this skill: 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

4. Building coalitions. Discovering common ground and aiming for a win-win always moves change forward in a positive manner.

5. Transferring ownership to work teams. Leaders are not control freaks; they inspire and empower, and then take on the role of a cheerleader.

6. Perseverance. Guidance, accountability, and persistent encouragement are essential to anchoring a change. 

7. Making everyone a hero. This last skill mentioned reminds me of one of the easier things I have done in leadership. At one particular annual staff retreat, I went around the entire room naming each person and what I appreciated about their unique contribution to the organization. This gave me tremendous social capital with our staff and made subsequent changes much easier to introduce and implement.