John Robb, on his Global Guerillas Blog, shared an insight about today’s change catalysts: “What do catalysts do? They accelerate growth and effectiveness by increasing the trust and connectivity of the networks they inhabit.”
Instead of traditional leaders who work to organize structures, consolidate power and give directions, we need change leaders who understand the power of empowered networks enabled by catalysts who provide the prompts, the links and the tools to make change happen.
Catalysts are “Hub People.” They know how to find, connect with and use loose networks of the people you need to know or need to have involved. They are connected digitally and personally. Their power comes not by what they do or know but by who and what they are connected to. Who are the people in your influence network who have “People Power?”
It’s not enough to be a connector. Catalysts aren’t above helping where they are needed no matter how insignificant the role. That kind of support forges strong emotional bonds with people on the ground and builds an extensive “trust account’ that comes in handy in the midst of change. What could you do to extend your contacts and improve your “trust account” in your vital networks?
Finally, catalysts trust the journey networked change must take. They are comfortable with a lot of uncertainty and are willing to accept solutions they didn’t create or envision. They get satisfaction from progress not ownership or control. They may not get the award or the standing ovation, but people know they couldn’t have done it without them. Where is over-controlling the outcome getting in the way of a team finding a solution that works?
Leaders who spend their lives telling people what to do are becoming obsolete. Pretend someone changed your job title to “Chief Change Catalyst.” What would you do differently this week? Do it!
(Source: John Robb, post on Global Guerrillas Blog, http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2008/05/the-guerrilla-c.html?cid=116112526#comment-116112526)
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