Catalysts are problems. At least, historically speaking, in the way that most organizations have been run. They don’t fit the version of the “high performer” that so many orgs had for so many years — you know, you crush the KPIs handed to you, managed up well, and developed an expertise and capacity in the […]

The moment you self identify as a Catalyst can feel like a lightbulb moment, sometimes for a light that we didn’t know had burned out. The first thing many people tell us is how relieved they are—that they always thought they were “crazy,” and how excited they are to finally have words for the way […]

What do you know about Orchestration? If you resonate with the title of Catalyst you should worked on being versed on the concept because orchestration is very likely achilles heel for most Catalysts. When we met Gabe (pseudonym) he was new in a design research role. He was confident that design research methods would help […]

Original article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jodiecook/2022/07/27/running-your-business-at-200-miles-per-hour-you-could-be-a-catalyst-entrepreneur/?mc_cid=08c6826a29&mc_eid=660cc573fb&sh=14b4a25f3df2 Entrepreneurs of every type and in every industry have the ability to make positive change in the world. However, organizing their work and life to maximize output and make the biggest impact takes intentionality, and if left to chance can lead to frustration and giving up. This is especially true of “catalyst” […]

For decades, all high jumpers cleared the bar using similar techniques. In many ways, the sport was stuck in a rut. Then a 16-year-old high jumper, Dick Fosbury, decided to try something new. He went headfirst and backwards over the bar—what became known as the Fosbury Flop. Initially, Fosbury’s coaches, both in high school and […]

Call it the Great Resignation, VUCA, or the black swan world — but the world of work is not what it was two years ago (or, let’s be honest, two months ago!) While people have been bemoaning the increasing complexity of the workplace for decades, we’re all experiencing the effects of the exponential curve of […]

Global pandemics. Labor shortages. Supply chain issues. Increasing competition. Whatever your business and no matter your industry, one thing remains constant: unexpected challenges. More and more, we are living in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. You never know when or where the next big disruption will hit you. To survive, you must […]

Nearly every company says it wants innovation, but here’s what usually happens: A Catalyst—someone who takes in lots of information, can clearly envision a better future, and feels an inherent drive for action—has an idea. They present the idea to top management. Management says no, and innovation dies before it’s even begun. As Catalysts ourselves, we know […]

Entrepreneurs and their small crews understand and accept the hard work that comes with their decision to start or join a new business. Yet, a constant, long-hours hustle may not be sustainable over time. If a startup’s team members regularly burn the candle at both ends, they’re likely to burn out—and that spells bad news […]