Your Just Like Everyone Else….What Gives?

In your current role have the people around you– changed you?

Are you changed or being changed? 

Do you have the skills to be a catalyst in your organization? 

"You become like the 5 people you hang around the most." 

A quote attributed to several people (Jim Rohn and Tim Ferris) 

I first heard that when I was preparing to join a new ODA team (Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA, A-Team) is the operational element of Army Special Forces Green Beret).

It was a valuable lesson for me. I can be changed by others or I can make change happen in others. I could go with the flow and do what others do or choose to be someone who makes a difference. 

That was an easy decision for me….I despise living in stereotypes or going with the crowd; if I'm living, I will make an impact. 

Since I learned to embody that quote, I have applied it to many situations and organizations. From the military to intelligence organizations and the private sector, and personally to whom I spend time with. 

As I have written previously, the impact a leader can have on the team can be varied, dynamic, and powerful …for better or worse. 

The term catalyst has been used to describe the impact of a leader. A catalyst can be a good thing or a bad thing. 

Catalyst

• A catalyst is a substance or agent that accelerates or facilitates a reaction without undergoing any permanent change. In other words, it is a substance that increases the speed of or impact of a reaction but it remains unchanged at the end of the reaction. 

In Human Terms

A catalyst initiates, accelerates, or facilitates change, progress, or a particular outcome. For example, in leadership or team dynamics, a leader can be seen as a catalyst for change or improvement, as they can inspire, motivate, and accelerate the achievement of goals. 

Character, values, and what you stand for profoundly impact what kind of catalyst you can be. 

In this sense, a catalyst brings about a significant or transformative effect.

Most teams don't naturally improve by merely existing. They need catalyst behavior to make good change happen. These individuals are the driving force behind progress, making things happen. 

Three Archetypes of Team Members

• The Reluctant: Some team members shun responsibility when the stakes are high. They recognize their limitations and cannot come through for the team, making them reluctant to take the ball when it matters most.
• The Ill-Advised: Some eagerly seek the limelight but cannot lead the team to victory. They must be aware of their limitations, making them a potential liability to the team's success.
• The Catalyst: The individuals who desire the ball in crunch time and possess the skill and determination to deliver. They are the go-to players who can turn the tide in favor of the team.

Every successful team needs catalysts to reach their highest potential. People (in leadership positions or not) can be catalysts in their organizations. 

Here are some behaviors to watch for. 

• Intuitive: Catalysts possess a unique ability to sense opportunities and leadership where others may not. They can identify the right path and recruit talented volunteers, benefiting the team.
• Communicative: Catalysts quickly voice what others may hesitate to say to motivate the team.
• Passionate: They exhibit an unmatched passion for what they do and share this enthusiasm with their teammates, inspiring the team's success.
• Talented: Catalysts are passionate and exceptionally skilled in their area of expertise. Their credibility stems from their personal success, making them influential leaders.
• Creative: Catalysts constantly seek innovative ways to approach challenges, offering fresh perspectives and solutions.
• Initiating: Unlike many creative individuals who struggle with implementation, catalysts excel at making things happen. They think creatively and have the discipline to turn ideas into action.
• Responsible: Catalysts take personal responsibility for making things happen. They don't just recommend courses of action; they ensure they are executed.
• Generous: Giving of oneself is a hallmark of catalysts. They are willing to invest their time and effort to see a project through to its conclusion. 
• Influential: Catalysts possess a unique ability to lead their teammates in ways others cannot. They inspire trust and motivate team members to follow their lead.

When you notice many of these qualities in a team member, you can be confident that they will rise to the occasion during crunch time and elevate their performance to take the team with them. 

Encourage those with this potential to step up and become positive influencers on the team. If existing team members need to step up, consider recruiting individuals with the catalyst qualities. 

A team's journey to the highest level is incomplete without these exceptional individuals who make things happen.