1: Six Characteristics of Highly Effective Change Leaders Leaders who are effective with change are expected to foster a culture of learning, adaptation, and leadership in their organizations. Clay (2013) highlighted some characteristics that effective change leaders must have to act as change systems. First, an effective leader must have a low level of anxiety. A high level of anxiety can prevent people from managing change and create strong barricades due to a low sense of security. Second, emotional stability is important because it can define people's mood regarding change, and a leader should avoid breaking an employee's emotional spirit. Effective leaders who can act as systems for change must also step up and lead the change processes themselves. Confident leaders make their followers believe they can create successful systems of change. Finally, an effective change leader must be open and tolerant of risk. This type of leader should be open to different points of view and should be ready to go the extra mile to achieve change and help motivate their employees.2: Leadership techniques for empowering people during change initiatives According to Gilbert (nd), every organization at one time or another is affected by change. However, if organizational leaders do not take the initiative to act as systems for change, failure to achieve change is possible (Gilbert, n.d.). The author highlighted a three-step strategy that effective leaders use to implement change. First, an effective leader is responsible for identifying the change that needs to be implemented. A leader who acts as a system for change will communicate change to people by getting their attention and acknowledging their problems....... middle of paper...... Leader. InnovationExcellence. Retrieved from: http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/08/20/six-characteristics-of-highly-effect-change-leaders/Donclark Website. (n.d.). Leadership and change. Juxtaposition of large dog and small dog performance. Retrieved from: http://www.nwlink.com/~Donclark/leader/leadchg.htmlGilbert, J. (n.d.). Leadership techniques for empowering people during change initiatives. Reliable system. Retrieved from: http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/18706/leadership-techniques-to-empower-people-during-change-initiativesMendez-Morse, S. (n.d.). Vision, leadership and change. SEDL. Retrieved from: http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues23.html National Defense University. (n.d.). Vision and management of change. Strategic leadership and decision making. Retrieved from: http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt4ch19.html