Can you hire a "change agent"?

A lot of people seem to think you can. There are always ads on SEEK for an experienced "change agent". Often they are for 3-6 month contracts.

I know it's nearly a decade since I took the "Managing Change" elective in my MBA study, but introducing new work systems hasn't changed that much. All the literature at that time, which was around the beginning of the movement, made absolutely clear that a "change agent" is someone who has been in the orgainsation a long time, has the respect and admiration of colleagues and the political clout to influence and coerce decision makers. If you think a new contractor who'll be there for 6 months can do that, then you are out of your tiny mind.

You can hire a change manager. A change agent needs to be found inside the organisation.