The new year often brings in change, sometimes new change on top of the existing boatloads of old change. And it's all well and good - we know change is a constant - but leading change, especially one you're not wild about, is a challenge I see many leaders struggle with. To lead a change successfully, you have to be a change agent. And being a change agent means more than just changing yourself -- it means actively guiding others through it, whether they report to you or n

Before diving into this post, ask yourself: Where do you need to be more influential? Is it at work, with your manager, stakeholders, or direct reports? Is it at home, with your spouse, partner, or kids? Or is it in your community, with your friends, neighbors, or fellow members of an organization? No matter where you need to be influential, it's important to know who you're trying to influence and what matters to them . You, like my father, may get all jazzed up about