Provocateurs

I'd say that Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman is a provocateur (an agent of change) because he has the ability to notice subtle changes, be okay with uncertainty, and know how to create change.

He's noticed subtle changes in operating methods such as signal calling (in 2009, the script was, "NS 204 clear Oakwood, out." Now, the script is, "Clear Oakwood, NS 204."). While some rules and radio communication standards are now left out, the message is clearly understood and keeps safety in place.

Wick is okay with uncertainty, as he is running one of the five Class I railroads in the United States that is foregoing change mandated by Congress. This change is the implementation of Positive Train Control, which is a system of safety double-checks that will prevent the majority of accidents in the future.

Finally, he knows how to create change, as he recently began a steam program. In 1994, all east  coast railroads ruled that steam locomotives were not allowed on their systems. In 2011, Wick brought on the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and the Fort Wayne Historical Society and their two steam locomotives: Southern Railway 630 and Nickel Plate Road 765 (respectively). In 2012 and 2013, these locomotives have toured about half of Wick Moorman (Norfolk Southern)'s system of track, and more trips are to come in the future. Basically, Mr. Moorman restarted a program, 18 years dead, and has it running strong and supported already. Through this, he displays resilience and courage.

To increase my chances of becoming a provocateur, I can build relationships with my friends, and in a way, "take the upper hand." Basically, I will have enough influence on them to bring about change that I want to happen. I need to be accepting of uncertainty and able to notice changes (which I'm pretty good at doing). Then, I can apply my control over my friendships to create change if I want to.