What is a Catalyst?

And can they really help me transform my business?

These are not the usual suspects for every project or the typical high potentials.

Catalyst

A person who takes in lots of information, sees infinite possibilities, and can’t stop themselves from moving into action.

Catalysts stand out from the crowd

not because of their scale of change, necessarily, or even their enjoyment of it, but because of their innate drive to create it.

Catalysts excel at taking in new information

and constantly identifying problems and opportunities. They quickly visualize solutions and move into action, learning from failures and refining their approaches, though they may not always clearly communicate these shifts.

Catalysts are found at all levels across various disciplines

from entry-level to leadership positions. Their core motivation is solving problems—any problems—and spotting opportunities to improve the world around them, whether or not they are asked to do so.

Catalyst are the natural changemakers in an organization

ready to help ignite transformation initiatives. Catalysts see problems, find solutions, challenge norms, and innovate without being prompted.

However, their drive for change can sometimes create challenges

for themselves and those around them as they can often overlook the detailed process and potential consequences. Yet, this same bias for change holds remarkable potential, benefiting organizations, teams, and peers who partner with Catalysts.

Why Catalysts Matter

By arming and understanding your Catalysts correctly, you will find that:

The organization will be thinking about the future and doing innovative work, spearheaded by their brightest, most forward-thinking minds. Catalysts can see the path nobody else sees, and if you’ll let them, they’re capable of leading your organization where it needs to go.

Their energy acts as an accelerant to higher levels of employee engagement and morale, and that engaged, motivated, happy workforce is working together toward the organization’s goals. In other words, your transformation won’t stall, it will thrive.

Your organization will be able to navigate whatever the future (and the market) throws your way. Adaptability, resiliency, and agility will be part of your DNA. You will be unstoppable.

“For me, Catalysts are the 10% who drive 80% of the transformation in any organization. They’re troublemakers, people who can process a lot of information, envision what’s possible, and ask, ‘How can we do better, faster, cheaper?’ They are action-driven, often impatient, with a vision for improvement, and they can be hard to manage. But, in a world of volatility and uncertainty, they are essential.”

Franck Cormier

President, Smart/Tasking

How to Identify

Your Catalysts are ready-built for today’s volatile and uncertain environment, but to do what they do best, they must be able to react immediately. If you wait until a crisis hits, it will be too late. You need to identify your Catalysts before crises and connect them to each other so they can create change, quickly.

So how do you identify your Catalysts?

Our research shows that Catalysts share four traits. They:

Absorb and process lots of data at lightning speed, often subconsciously.

See possibilities and connect the dots in the data to create a clear vision of the future.

Feel an inherent drive toward action—a need to turn their vision into reality.

Have an experimentation mindset—constantly iterating, pivoting, and refining their vision.

Of course, you’re not just looking for Catalysts, you’re looking for Catalysts who will thrive in your environment. After all, it’s a different kind of Catalyst that will succeed at a Silicon Valley startup, than who will at an established bank. You want to have a clear understanding of your organization and your culture as you work to identify your Catalysts.

Act now.

If you identify your Catalysts now, you will be able to tap them at a moment’s notice when they’re needed. Don’t wait until the strategy is fully set. In today’s rapidly changing world it won’t ever be, and your Catalysts can help you navigate that. Because Catalysts’ ability to connect the dots means they not only react quickly to an ever-changing environment, but they can often predict and prepare for challenges before they occur.

How to Empower Your Catalysts

Once you’ve identified your Catalysts, you will want to arm them for success. Here’s what you need to remember:

Catalysts Need Each Other

Catalysts thrive in a community. Create spaces for them to meet regularly to share ideas, tackle challenges, and celebrate successes. Feeling seen and appreciated will allow them to fully harness their abilities. One Catalyst can initiate change; many can transform everything.

Clearly Communicate with Your Catalysts

Set clear expectations and share your company’s direction, strategic initiatives, and challenges. Catalysts excel at envisioning a better future, but their vision must align with the company’s. Clear communication ensures everyone is working towards the same goals.

Turn Your Catalysts Loose (Then Protect Them)

Empower Catalysts by giving them autonomy to execute their ideas. Let them experiment and take calculated risks, as breakthroughs come from these experiments. Shield them from resistance by publicly endorsing their initiatives and supporting their efforts. Understand that change is a journey involving learning, mistakes, and failures.

Embed Your Catalysts Where You Want to Make Change

With your Catalysts connected to each other and to you, there’s just one last connection to make: connecting your Catalysts to big, audacious problems to solve. If you want them to have an impact, you need to put them in charge of areas where you want to see change.

Remember You Are Not Alone

This is what we do and who we are. We have a full suite of solutions designed to help organizations and the Catalysts they employ lead successful transformations.

Catalyst Programs

Our Catalyst Program alters an organization’s relationship with change, enabling it to be more agile, innovative, and productive. The result? An organization where change is not feared and impact is measurable.

Learn more.

Catalyzing Organizational Change Course

Get the tools and techniques to bring your vision to life and avoid burning out. In just a few hours a week, you’ll build the skills needed to support the entire change cycle while connecting with other inspiring Catalysts who are facing similar challenges.