Brad Lomenick is the president of Catalyst, one of America’s largest movements of young Christian leaders. He is the author of the new book, The Catalyst Leader, released on April 15, 2013. You can purchase here on Amazon: http://goo.gl/6TKvC
Many of you know that I’ve attended Catalyst conferences as I’ve written a couple posts about the experiences (for example Catalyst East Review 2012) and even led Catalyst small groups following these events using the Catalyst sessions on DVD that are available after the conferences.
Needless to say, when Brad mentioned that he was writing a book, I sent him a note asking him when it would be available and see if there was a way if I could get my hands on it early. If you’d like to read my review, check it out on Amazon.
Brad answered several questions about himself and his new book that I wanted to share with you.
1. What is the Catalyst Leader about?
The Catalyst Leader lays out the eight essentials for becoming a change maker. The traits that I believe one must develop in order to become a change maker, and ultimately a Catalyst Leader. I hope this book will provide practical leadership answers for a new generation of aspiring leaders who are looking for answers and solutions, and not just leadership theory. It’s a practical guide for leading now, and leading well, serving as a leadership handbook for the next generation of leaders in our country. The book presents the key essentials that I believe will define our generation’s ability to influence over the next 20-25 years, laying out what it means to be a Catalyst in this generation. The Catalyst Leader is packed with a combination of candid interviews with thought leaders, research with the core leadership community, and overall leadership best practices. A rising generation of leaders need to be equipped for the task of leadership.
2. Why did you write The Catalyst Leader?
I wrote this book primarily for 3 reasons. Frist, while leading the largest leadership movement that gathers young career aged Christian leaders in America, I noticed that many of these young leaders desired to lead right now, but they didn’t know how to ultimately lead well. We have a generation of “called but not yet equipped leaders.” Leaders who are passionate about making a difference and having influence now. Called leaders who want to change the world, a generation ready to action, ready to influence and ready to lead, but not yet equipped for the task. They need the tools, the roadmap, the guide for leading well and getting that done. So many of my peers at 25, 30, 35, 40 years of age are flaming out and need a resource to help them finish well. Second, I noticed that the leaders who were leading well shared several common traits and characteristics. What I’m calling the eight essentials. The book lays out those 8 essential characteristics for becoming a change maker, and ultimately a Catalyst Leader. Third, we’ve been handed the reins to lead. I just turned 40, and I believe it’s my generations turn and time to stand up, take the reins, and lead. We are now in the drivers seat, and it’s up to us. The called but not equipped generation. I want to see leaders, my peers, finish well. Too many leaders are crashing early and often right now. Just like me, tons of leaders in their 20’s and 30’s are facing great opportunities that they feel a deep calling and passion for, and willing to take on, but not altogether equipped to handle. These peers of mine need a roadmap, a guide, a handbook for leading well and tools for the journey forward. Our generation needs a roadmap for leading well. Some of my best friends currently sit atop great organizations but are failing to shepherd their teams and lead these entities well. I’ve begun to see a disappointing pattern among young leaders. They achieve liftoff with a rocket start but quickly fizzle out. With each instance of short lived success, I grow further convinced that we need to nurture leaders who will not just lead now, but also lead well. Ultimately, I’m writing a book that I wish would have been available to me 20 years ago when I was first starting my career and vocation life.
3. How is The Catalyst Leader unique from other books?
The Catalyst Leader book is unique in many ways. First, it’s written from my vantage point as the steward and primary leader of the Catalyst movement. The book includes ground breaking research on the state of leadership in America in partnership with The Barna Group. Also included are thoughts and perspectives from today’s top leadership voices, and practical application at every turn. We’ve also included “5 Leaders to know” at the end of each chapter, as well as the “50 Leaders to watch for” at the end of the book, along with each chapter includes at least one compelling story of a young leader who has modeled the key essential in their life. The book is packed with a combination of candid interviews with thought leaders and overall best leadership practices from the lens of the leader of the Catalyst movement. Each chapter includes a profile on a wise older sage “Lessons from Leading Well” with advice from that leader. We’ve also included several QR codes that link to additional leadership nuggets and wisdom on the book website. Perspective, innovative research, and best practice from today’s thought leaders.
4. Talk about the 8 Essentials.
A catalyst leader must be the following:
- Called by God to leadership and willing to seek his will
- Authentic and humble, becoming influential rather than impressive
- Passionate about God, committed to developing a heart for the creator
- Capable and determined, working harder than anyone on the team
- Courageous when the time comes to take a leap
- Principled in every decision made, unwilling to compromise for convenience
- Hopeful despite challenges, believing God can do what we cannot
- Collaborative, drawing on the strength of others and sharing praise
Living and leading by these essentials provides both spiritual and practical avenues to developing the qualities essential to leaders hoping to build a passionate, effective team that will last. This is not a book of theories. It is not a bragging autobiography from one successful boss. It is an honest and authentic examination of what you must be and do in order to empower and lead others to success and righteousness.
5. You have so many stories throughout the book, which is your favorite?
My time with best-selling author Bob Goff at his house and the lessons I learned about courage and risk is probably my favorite story. Bob’s friendship has been an incredible blessing to me, and every time I’m around Bob I pick up more “Bob-isms.” Most recently Bob sent our Catalyst team a dozen baby ducks in the mail, just for fun! It was quite the surprise, opening a box to find 12 baby ducklings!! I love the “Bob-ism” of “be inefficient in love.” The idea that love is not always efficient and requires more than normal. Love extravagantly. Bob says “I don’t want my life to only rhyme, I want it to resonate! Such a good word. The other story I really love from the book is my first trip to Africa, specifically to the country of Rwanda, with Compassion International. And the clarity it provided me in understanding the Leadership essential of Hopeful. Seeing children with nothing living a life of hope because they have a sense that tomorrow will be better than today.
6. When you look five to ten years down the road, what is your hope for, “The Catalyst Leader?”
I want to see our generation finish well. I want this book to be a timeless resource for a whole new generation of leaders. I hope to see churches, organizations, businesses, non profits and teams use this resource for equipping their leaders. I want to see hundreds of thousands of leaders all over the world leading now, and leading well. My hope is that The Catalyst Leader will create change makers that saturate all areas of our culture, and a leadership revolution will begin. Ultimately, I want to see the leadership culture transformed.
Special offer this week only:
Buy The Catalyst Leader by Friday April 19th and receive the following BONUS resources for free:
- The Catalyst Leader ebook
- The Catalyst Leader audio book
- The Catalyst Leader music sampler
- Catalyst talks – audio from some of the favorite Catalyst speakers
- Photo book featuring powerful photography and quotes from The Catalyst Leader.
If you buy five books, you’ll get even more. Here’s a link to get this great offer.
