On the Job by Anita Bruzzese FCCs CIO Change Agents Need Employer Support

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese FCC's CIO Change Agents Need Employer Support David Bray says the world is experiencing more turbulence, and he isnt talking about a rough airplane ride or a nasty noreaster. Bray, senior executive and chief information officer for the Federal Communications Commission, says the turbulence is a result of the increasing velocity of worldwide transactions. Despite such unsettled times, Bray believes there are exciting opportunities ahead for the more agile companies while others may suffer. He points out that while traditional top-down hierarchies are efficient and focused when dealing with a known or predictable environment, they are very bad at being resilient and adaptive when an environment is rapidly changing or unpredictable. Thats why Bray says that the organizations that embrace and supportchange agentswithin their organizations will gain agility and resilience. There is no textbook for where our organizations or societies are going next with the rapid, exponential changes in technology and services possible as a result, he says. The next seven years will see more change than the last 20 years combined in terms of network devices, data on the planet and computational capabilities. But that scenario doesnt panic Bray, a co-chair for an IEEE committee focused on artificial intelligence and innovative policies for the future. To me, this presents a degree of excitement, he says. How do we maintain those things we want to hold true to as individuals, as organizations, as a nation, and as a world and alsoadapt to such rapid change? One way that leaders can confront the challenges now and in the future is by tapping into diverse teams who can bring different tools and experiences to the table. Still, such groups will only work if theyre focused on the same goal or they may splinter into factions and in-fighting, he cautions. Effective change agentsas leaders will listen, learn and help craft shared goals and shared narratives to bring diverse groups of people together, he says. Bray says that the best leaders provide change agents with: Autonomy to bring their ideas to fruition. Measurable progress updates. A worthy cause that adds value for the public. I do tell change agents that Ill be their flak jacket. If change agents(read more here)