One need to lead the process of change; it does not happen on its own. To be an effective leader you need to guide the process from start to finish.
3 key competencies that are part of the process of leading change:
Initiate. After understanding the need for change, effective change leaders begin by making the case for the change they seek. This can include evaluating the context of the business, building a clear understanding and the purpose of the change, developing a clear vision and outcome of the change, identifying a common goal. Unsuccessful leaders do not focus on these tasks enough to reach a common understanding of the goal.
Strategize. Successful leaders developed a strategy and a clear action plan, including priorities, timelines, tasks, structures, behaviours, and resources. They identified what would change, but also what would stay the same. Leaders who are not successful fail to listen enough to questions and concerns from employees and fail to define success from the beginning.
Execute. Translating strategy into execution is one of the most important things leaders can do. Successful change leaders focused on getting key people into key positions. How do you eat an elephant? Piece by piece. You need to divide a big project down into small parts that wins to get early victories and build momentum in the organization. Unsuccessful change leaders began micromanaging, got mired in implementation details, and failed to consider the bigger picture.
Remember that, as organizations evolve over time, stability and change must coexist.