6. What is the connection between the book and the actual Catalyst Conferences?
I have been leading the Catalyst organization for over 10 years, and The Catalyst Leader book is really a result of the lessons we’ve learned in leading the Catalyst leadership movement. After 13 years of gathering hundreds of thousands of Christian leaders, we decided to create a brand new resource to help every leader, at every level. The book project provides a deeper dive into the eight essentials we believe are imperative to becoming a Catalyst Leader. Providing a glimpse at the very heart and soul of Catalyst and what we believe is essential to being a change maker. This is not just my leadership story. It’s a leadership story reflective of the Catalyst movement. This is our leadership story. It’s your leadership story.
7. Why are you qualified to write a leadership book like The Catalyst Leader?
To be honest, I’m not sure when someone becomes qualified to write a leadership book. I’m still learning and figuring things out myself. And I understand that there is a sense of “leadership fatigue” in our country, and everyone seems to be writing a leadership book or has the next great answer. I get that. As for my experience, I have been leading and stewarding the movement of Catalyst for the last 10 years. Catalyst is one of America’s largest and most influential leadership movements. We’ve gathered, influenced, and continue to inspire hundreds of thousands of leaders through our cutting edge experiential leadership events and resources, so based on that knowledge and experience, along with the connection to leaders in all industries and across demographics. I hope I can serve as a translator between generations, challenging those leaders who are younger, and helping connect those who are older to the younger generation. I just recently turned 40. I’m at the “crossroads” between being a “next generation” leader and a wise and experienced leader. I’m passing along what I’ve learned from my journey so far in my leadership and life and the wisdom I’ve learned from other Catalyst leaders so that you will hopefully avoid some of the common mistakes I’ve made as you pursue your vocation. I understand what is required of leaders in today’s organizational and cultural landscape.
8. Who do you hope to impact with, “The Catalyst Leader?”
All leaders, but specifically those in the first half of their vocation life. I’m writing specifically to the called-but-not-yet-equipped leader. Young leaders (primarily in their 20’s and 30’s) who are called and passionate hopefuls who want to change the world but are unequipped, and need tools and a roadmap for how to get that done. I want to help me. I’m in the same boat as leaders I’m writing this book for. I am a called but not yet equipped leader. I desire to be a true change maker, and ultimately a Catalyst leader, but I know I fall short constantly. So I’ve written this book really for me and my peers, and ultimately my generation. This book is for anyone that leads, but the strike zone is a 35 yr old senior manager, church planter or senior pastor, innovator or entrepreneur. Take Jim, who runs a 2 million dollar small business with 20 employees. He needs someone to help him Lead well now. He's trying to figure out how to lead with courage, to be a collaborator. Take my friend Shawn, who leads a thriving social innovation company. He's grown from 5 employees to 50 in the past year, and wrestling with how best to manage his staff of 20 somethings. Take Hannah, a 23 year old recent college graduate who is struggling with trying to figure out what God has called her to. Take my friend James, leading a growing church in downtown Chicago, has board members who are difficult to manage and tension between his older staff and younger more progressive and innovative staff.
9. What can leaders expect from the book?
The Catalyst Leader provides practical help for all leaders at any stage of their leadership journey, ultimately defining what it means to be a Catalyst in this generation, and inspiring us all to be true change makers wherever we lead. I believe the book is defining, practical, inspiring, and timely. The book provides perspective and practical application that leaders can put into practice immediately in their leadership today. I hope the book is both a kick in the pants, a bunch in the gut, and a pat on the back. Both challenging and encouraging.
10. When you say, “Lead Well, Lead Now,” what do you mean?
Many of us are leading now, but not necessarily leading well. The question isn’t how do we lead now, because so many young leaders have stepped into roles that they just don’t have the wisdom and experience for. It’s ultimately how do we lead now, and lead well. And finishing well means starting well. Only through leading well now can one finish well later. Your legacy depends on your present leadership. As I’ve dialogued with young leaders over the last several years, the common characteristic I’m finding is the desire to lead NOW. They’re embarking on creative projects, starting new organizations, writing books, excelling in large corporations, and creating causes that are solving some of the world’s leading problems. They aren’t willing to climb the ladder, or wait their turn. They want to catapult immediately into positions of influence. Energetic and passionate, these young next generation leaders want to jump in and make a difference now. They are not willing to wait. These issues aren't new. Been around forever for anyone in leadership. But, we have some realities converging. Generation leading early, and a generation not ready to lead. WE have a new generation of leaders emerging in our country. Called but not Equipped generation. Never before have so many been required to step into positions of leadership. Passionate and ready to change the world. But need a practical guide on what it looks like to lead well now. The aren't ready generation of leaders are in the seats of influence and need tools to help them. I have countless friends who are hungry to change the world, but if not careful will end up in the ditch along with their entire team. Reality is, they are already leading now.
Here is a link to the website also,
http://catalystleader.com/
Thanks
No comments:
Post a Comment