In the Dallas Marathon, a powerful act of kindness and support helped an athlete, on the brink of collapse, make it to the finish line. Chandler Self, a psychiatrist from New York, was leading the women’s division and on track to win. However, just 200 meters from the finish line, her body began to shut down due to extreme exhaustion. She stumbled repeatedly and collapsed, struggling to continue.

That’s when a fellow runner, a stranger, a high school student participating in the relay portion of the marathon, noticed Chandler’s distress. Instead of sprinting past, she decided to support Chandler. She ran alongside her, helping Chandler stand and encouraging her to keep going. With this support, Chandler crossed the finish line and won the race.

This act of selflessness from a younger runner exemplifies how, in moments of struggle, support from others can make all the difference. Chandler later credited the stranger’s encouragement and physical help with enabling her to finish the marathon.

This story serves as a powerful analogy for managing organisational change and transformation. Just as marathoners rely on support during critical moments, employees facing complex and continuous change benefit from personal connections to help them push through change fatigue. In this context, a Change Agent Network can play a vital role in building emotional resilience and boosting the overall emotional intelligence (EQ) of your organisation.

What Is a Change Agent Network?

In change management, a Change Agent Network is a group of ambassadors or agents embedded within the organisation, tasked with helping their peers navigate change. These change champions are typically employees who have been trained or selected to act as advocates for the change initiative, helping their colleagues understand, process, and embrace the transformation. They provide guidance, answer questions, and offer support throughout the transition process.

The Emotional Impact of Continuous Change

Today, organisations are often in a constant state of flux, implementing multiple initiatives simultaneously. This relentless pace can lead to change fatigue, where employees feel overwhelmed, disengaged, or resistant to further change. Without proper support, this emotional strain can hamper productivity, morale, and, ultimately, the success of the change initiative.

Enter the Change Agent Network. Much like the volunteers cheering on marathon runners, change agents offer encouragement and one-on-one support during these critical moments of transition. By addressing employees’ emotional and psychological needs, they help to alleviate change fatigue and increase the emotional intelligence of the organisation as a whole.

How a Change Agent Network Increases Organisational EQ:

1. Building One-on-One Connections

A key benefit of a Change Agent Network is the personal connection it fosters. Change agents, being part of the team, have a unique ability to engage with colleagues in a way that top-down leadership cannot. They are approachable, relatable, and often serve as a bridge between employees and the leadership team. This individual attention helps employees feel heard and supported, fostering emotional resilience and reducing feelings of isolation during periods of change.

2. Facilitating Empathy & Understanding

Change agents are trained to approach challenges with empathy, helping their peers navigate the uncertainties of change. By providing this emotional support, they help develop a culture of empathy across the organisation. Over time, this culture contributes to the organisation’s overall emotional intelligence, as employees become more attuned to one another’s needs and more skilled at navigating emotional dynamics within the workplace.

3. Promoting Open Communication

During complex change, employees often feel left in the dark, which leads to confusion and resistance. Change agents act as accessible points of communication, providing clarity on the purpose and benefits of the change. This transparency reduces anxiety and promotes trust across teams, allowing employees to cope with change more effectively. A high level of emotional intelligence within the organisation is fostered when open, empathetic communication becomes the norm.

Managing Change Fatigue with Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage one’s emotions and the emotions of others. In a business setting, this is crucial for navigating complex interpersonal dynamics, especially during times of change. A Change Agent Network helps to increase the collective EQ of an organisation by normalising emotional support as a core part of change management.

Employees are more likely to embrace change when they feel emotionally supported and have a trusted peer to turn to during moments of doubt. The personal connections provided by change agents create an environment where emotional intelligence can thrive, allowing the organisation to navigate change more smoothly and efficiently.

The Power of a Change Agent Network

Like the stranger who ran alongside Chandler Self and many volunteers lining the marathon course, a Change Agent Network is a vital support system that encourages and empowers employees during their change journey. By fostering one-on-one connections, promoting empathy, and facilitating open communication, this network enhances the emotional intelligence of the entire organisation. In doing so, it reduces change fatigue and promotes a more resilient, adaptable workforce.

Organisations that invest in building and sustaining a Change Agent Network are not just supporting their employees through change—they are building a stronger, emotionally intelligent organisation that is better equipped to thrive in a constantly evolving landscape. Build up Change Agents by sending them on our Becoming a Change Champion Programme.