What is a catalytic leader?

Leadership has always been a favorite topic for authors, speakers and teachers.  But it can be so very confusing because everyone seems to have a different definition of what leadership is and what good leadership looks like.  Over the last year, I’ve spent a good deal of time thinking about a particular flavor of leader – one I refer to as the catalytic leader.  Such a leader can be defined as one who is effective at accelerating the pace of healthy change.

I’ve come to believe that while there are many important aspects to being a catalytic leader, they all seem to fit into three key behaviors.  A catalytic leader must be able to:

1. Identify meaningful change.  No individual, team or organization is perfect.  We can always improve our performance.  And even if we do achieve perfection in our chosen game, the rules will soon change to redefine the very nature of the game itself.  Change is inevitable and meaningful change is necessary for healthy growth.  The catalytic leader must keep on the lookout for meaningful changes that are needed – well before they’re needed.  Such a leader must also select those changes that will be meaningful from the sea of those that won’t.
2. Initiate meaningful change.  It isn’t enough to identify that a set of changes are needed.  The catalytic leader must actually initiate that change.  This may include assessing your options, planning your project and assembling your team.  This is about getting it all moving and building momentum for the desired change.  The catalytic leader must be able to translate vision into an actionable plan.
3. Deliver meaningful change.  It seems that any attempts to effect meaningful change into our lives or organizations are met almost immediately with obstacles.  Sometimes we get distracted with competing priorities.  Sometimes team members resist change.  Sometimes unforeseen setbacks make us doubt whether we can accomplish the goal.  And sometimes we begin to lose our commitment to the desired change.  The catalytic leader must keep their eye on the goal and push through all of these obstacles as they arise.  They keep the vision fresh and clear.  They ensure that progress continues and that the team remains unified in their commitment throughout successful implementation of the change.  And they celebrate the wins as they come.

When a catalytic leader doesn’t find themselves personally gifted or even competent in one or more of these key behaviors, they can overcome that deficit by surrounding themselves with those who are.  A visionary leader may be great at identifying meaningful change necessary to bring about a desired future reality, but may lack the wiring to develop a plan that can lead to that change.  The self aware leader will partner with others who have the necessary gifting to get the job done.

Which of these three key behaviors come naturally to you?  Which of these are most taxing for you as a leader?  What implications do your answers have for how you can improve your leadership moving forward?