The Uncomfortable Truth About Being a Change Agent

The frustrating, messy, vital work of transforming your culture.

Danil Nevsky (Kazakhstan)/Stocksy

Everyone loves the idea of change—the success stories, the transformations, the vision of something better. Being a change agent sounds exciting: a meaningful title, a clear mandate, and the chance to fix what’s broken. But ask someone who’s actually done this work, and they’ll tell you a different story.

The path is foggy. It’s messy. You can barely see what’s coming next, let alone where you’ll end up. You’re pushing uphill while others question why you’re even trying.

Here’s what nobody tells you: The title means nothing. The fancy job description, the executive mandate, the budget—none of it protects you from what’s ahead. A formal role doesn’t give you influence or make things easier.

“A change agent is a person who cannot help but to improve things. It’s like an addiction or a habit.” —Henrik Kniberg

What surprises me most is how quickly the excitement fades. I’ve seen it as a former CEO and now as a culture transformation consultant. People who are …