A term extracted from the “The Life Within” metaphor to represent the practitioner’s character.., who he/she is when not trying to meet the expectations of others. Within the trunk that grows around it, the sapling helps to maintain the tree’s inner nature throughout its life.

Change professional who is perceived to be providing acceptable value and who can be relied on to get the basic job done on tactical assignments.

Many practitioners who are capable of high impact performance or who are on the cusp of and desire to make the leap in that direction are not appreciated for the core of who they are. When this happens, they sometimes “go to sleep” rather than experience the alienation and distress associated with not being valued for who they are. They anesthetize [..]

Six descriptors that collectively serve as the criteria for High Impact Practitioners:

The core of a practitioner’s true nature…the substance of what he/she has to offer as a human being…what is left after all the illusions, evasions, and elaborations are stripped away is pivotal to a change practitioner’s effectiveness.

The term used for the recipients of a change professional’s efforts. Regardless of what discipline a practitioner represents (change management, project management, organizational design, IT, HR, leadership development, strategic planning, etc.) or whether he/she operates as internal employees or external consultants, the work being performed is in [..]

Courage has two aspects.

To live up to the standards of what must be done each and every time they are called for (no timeouts/no substitutions).

Change professional who is perceived to be demonstrating little value and is be avoided at all cost.

Change practitioner who’s advice is not easily disregarded or replaced; opinions are respected and sought after— one of two descriptors for high impact practitioners…other one is “strategic”.