Where to look for a Champion

You know what Champions are. You know what they do. Now how do you get one?

A Change Agents must find a Champion as s/he prepares the Change Initiative. Change Teams may also need to find a new Champion as they implement the initiative.

There are two ways to find a Champion. One way is to locate someone already trained and certified in this role. You may know her/him or you may find the person on a list of trained Champions. The second way is to locate the right person and ask her/him to get training specifically to serve on your initiative. (This may take some time, though.)

Change Agents often find potential Champions during the research of the Change Initiative. In fact, this is probably the best way. Someone who understands the problem you are investigating and who has already been helpful may commit to champion the initiative. If you think s/he would be a good Champion for the Change Initiative and s/he is willing to volunteer, the next step is to arrange for her/him to get the necessary training

Now you know where to find a Champion, but how do you choose the right person?

Here are some issues to consider when selecting a Champion:

• Ability to connect the team to needed resources.
• Ability to work with the people involved in the process.
• Ability to work with the outsiders involved in the process.
• Commitment to not only the transformation, but also to this Change Initiative.
• Ability to advocate for the initiative.
• Available time to work on the initiative.
• Knowledge of the process being changed.
• Absence of known political enemies within the process being changed (the Champion may make enemies in the course of her/his work; known enemies make it hard for a Champion to do the job well.)

© 1997 ChangeCraft™

Written by Veronica Boaz and Heidi Jeanne Hess
(Doug Wesley contributed)

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