Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.

In this “getting real” episode, we’re joined by Amer Iqbal, Founder & CEO of 5 Ways to Innovate, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities Catalysts face when driving transformation in large organizations. Amer dives deep into the realities of confronting the "corporate immune system," the entrenched resistance to change that can feel insurmountable.Drawing on his extensive experience, Amer shares powerful strategies for breaking through: getting airtime to share your ideas widely, building disciples who champion your vision, and using compelling storytelling and data to bring people on board. But Amer also candidly addresses the emotional toll this journey can take, revealing how he manages the frustration and harnesses anger as a surprising superpower.Far from being a detriment, Amer argues that anger is a signal that we care deeply—and a wellspring of energy to drive change. His advice for channeling this energy into meaningful progress includes:Finding your tribe—the people who understand and support your visionIdentifying your release valve—the practices that help you process and refocusSeeking inspiration—from individuals and experiences that reignite your passionFor Catalysts navigating resistance and looking for tools to turn frustration into fuel, this conversation is a must-listen.Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this engaging episode, Josh Klein, renowned hacker and technology strategist, shares his journey of transforming complex insights into actionable innovation. A master of systems thinking, Josh has made a career out of challenging the status quo—seeing inefficiencies, hacking solutions, and creating exponential improvements.Josh delves into his approach to change, emphasizing the power of stepping back to gain a broader perspective and uncover leverage points that others overlook. He highlights the importance of directionality in success, focusing less on rigid outcomes and more on adaptability in an ever-evolving landscape.With experience advising companies from nimble startups to global multinationals, Josh discusses the tension between large organizations’ need to mitigate risk and the fast-moving, disruptive market they operate in. He shares strategies for fostering innovation within rigid corporate structures, from measuring behavioral change to cultivating trust and alignment in a rapidly shifting world.Tune in to hear Josh’s insights on hacking systems, navigating uncertainty, and leveraging AI and behavioral data to drive impactful transformation. Whether you’re a catalyst for change or looking to thrive in an unpredictable environment, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom.Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we sit down withLoubna Imenchal, VP at Logitech, for an insightful discussion on how leaders can successfully balance delivering on executive priorities while introducing innovative approaches. Loubna shares concrete examples about her fearless journey of stepping into roles beyond her prior industry experience, landing them by demonstrating impact and fresh strategies. She offers practical advice on securing alignment with leadership before accepting a new role, ensuring clarity and alignment on vision and strategy to achieve organizational goals.Her dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces shines through her work with Connect & Elevate, a platform empowering women in tech. Loubna’s personal stories and actionable insights will inspire Catalysts across industries to seek out new possibilities and lead with authenticity.Tune in for a compelling conversation about fearless leadership, aligning bold visions, and building a culture of diversity and innovation.Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this compelling episode, Bryon Kroger, founder and CEO of Rise8 and the former COO of the U.S. Air Force's groundbreaking Kessel Run program, reflects on his journey from intelligence officer to software innovator and leader of transformative change. Bryon shares candid lessons learned from catalyzing digital transformation within one of the largest bureaucracies in the world and offers a nuanced perspective on the interplay between rebellion and revolution in creating lasting impact.A central theme of the conversation is the distinction Bryon draws between rebels and revolutionaries. While rebels may succeed in challenging the status quo, revolutionaries think long-term, building alliances and maintaining patience to achieve sustainable change. Bryon shares his own experiences navigating this balance, reflecting on moments where his rebellious instincts needed to give way to the humility and strategy of a true revolutionary. His insights provide a framework for leaders aiming to drive progress without alienating stakeholders.Drawing on Simon Wardley's Pioneer, Settler, Planner model, Bryon illustrates how Catalysts serve as vital bridges between visionary pioneers and methodical planners to drive organizational change. He unpacks the delicate balance of maintaining strategic patience while acting with tactical urgency, emphasizing the importance of vision, humility, and active listening to inspire others to embrace change.As an executive, Bryon underscores the critical need to "create other Catalysts," explaining how scaling leadership through cultural transformation and skill development fosters sustainable growth. Reflecting on his transition from government to private sector leadership, Bryon shares his evolving approach to navigating resistance and offers powerful advice for knowing when to persevere or walk away from a battle to win the broader war.Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this engaging episode, Andy Lopata, a renowned relationship strategist, hall-of-fame speaker, and author of six influential books, shares his transformative approach to networking, mentorship, and leadership. With over 25 years of experience, Andy has become a trusted advisor to global organizations like Google and the BBC and continues to shape conversations on professional relationships.Andy reflects on key themes in his work, from the evolution of networking strategy to his groundbreaking "Curiosity Cycle," a framework that ties active listening to authenticity, vulnerability, and trust. A firm believer in the idea that to be a thought leader, you first need to be a thought listener and learner, Andy challenges the traditional image of leadership as command and control, advocating instead for humility, collaboration, and creating space for diverse voices.The conversation emphasizes the value of engaging with curiosity—asking questions and seeking understanding—rather than simply broadcasting ideas, a crucial skill for Catalysts aiming to build meaningful relationships with those who may think differently. Andy offers practical advice for leaders: to shut up and listen, create inclusive environments, and seek constant feedback from mentors or mastermind groups. Whether you're a fixer, a strategist, or a leader navigating organizational change, Andy's wisdom will inspire you to lead from among, not above.Tune in to hear how Andy's insights can help you cultivate meaningful relationships and foster trust that drives impactful change.If you want to learn more, check out Andy's The Connected Leadership Podcast Specially, this episode: 'Move Fast, Break (the Right) Things' with Shannon Lucas & Tracey Lovejoy And follow up with Andy's book: The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring: A Complete Guide to Effective Mentoring (The FT Guides) by Dr. Ruth Gotian and Andy LopataOriginal music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Abby Kearns, CTO of Alembic Technologies, shares how embracing her identity as a Catalyst—and its superpowers—empowered her to shed the "pain in the ass" label she’d been given along the way. Abby discusses the keys to success for Catalyst executives, from embracing the possibility of being wrong and leaning into risk, to identifying environments where there is strong executive and board buy-in. She calls out that as Catalyst leaders, we have to be open to having candid conversations with the CEO or senior leaders about how our success at driving change will be supported by the organization – hitting head on the classic Innovator's Dilemma. Abby also opens up about one of her toughest challenges: bringing people along on the journey by clarifying vision, roles, and outcomes.Her advice for sustaining energy amidst the demands of transformative leadership? "Find your tribe!"Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this engaging episode, Sandeep Mehta, former Chief Technology Officer at The Hartford, shares transformative lessons from his journey as a Catalyst executive. He highlights the importance of clarity in Purpose—aligning your vision with organizational goals and solving the right first problem to gain stakeholder buy-in. Sandeep underscores the necessity of strong Sponsorship, where leaders show their commitment to your vision of change through tangible investment. Finally, he emphasizes the power of Humanity—the ability to accelerate adoption and success of your vision by engaging people early and often, while recognizing their personal relationship with change. Sandeep also candidly discusses the challenges of being a Catalyst, offering strategies to stay centered amidst the demands of leading change. Tune in for a compelling conversation filled with actionable insights for driving innovation and creating meaningful impact.Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Dr. Patti Fletcher, an expert in disruption and author of Disrupters, dives into the importance of Catalysts in leadership. She challenges traditional concepts of empowerment, urging a shift to transformational leadership that removes obstacles for change. Patti discusses decision interruption as a method to combat unconscious bias, emphasizing the need to understand perspectives for meaningful impact. She shares personal anecdotes about her journey to authentic leadership, advocating for a supportive community in driving change, especially for women.

In this insightful episode, we delve into the unique journey of Dan Ward, a Senior Principal Systems Engineer at MITRE, former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and author of four books, including The Simplicity Cycle and Fire. Dan reflects on his innovative career, spanning military service, systems engineering, and prolific writing, sharing lessons on catalyzing change and simplifying complexity.Dan’s anecdotes illuminate key ideas: the transformative power of collaboration—“a catalyst by themselves is just powder in a jar”—and the importance of fostering a culture that celebrates learning from failure. He introduces the concept of “failure cake,” a practice his team developed to destigmatize failure by celebrating attempts and extracting lessons with humor and camaraderie.A firm believer in the power of writing, Dan calls on professionals to contribute to their fields, using his own journey as a guidepost. With practical insights and humor, he explains how writing a book is not just achievable but transformative, offering “book math” as a framework for aspiring authors.Whether it's through his viral article Build Droids, Not Death Stars, his “Green Pen Squad” initiative, or MITRE's free innovation toolkit, Dan exemplifies how leaders can simplify, inspire, and innovate. Tune in for actionable wisdom on leadership, storytelling, and building teams that thrive on collaboration and resilience.Check out "Build Droids Not Death Stars", an articule that Dan wrote that went viral and led to his first book, was inspired by his daughters.Check out The MITRE Innovation Toolkit to support innovation created by a group of Catalysts that Dan brought together.Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Cynthia Hansen, Managing Director of the Innovation Foundation at Adecco Group, delves into the non-linear career journeys of Catalysts. She reflects on her own leap from a civil society domain expert to leading a financial services practice at the World Economic Forum. She shares how the hiring manager was drawn to, what she articulates as, her Catalyst superpowers: identifying opportunities, setting a clear north star, establishing guardrails for exploration, and creating a sandbox for innovation.Cynthia highlights the ambidextrous skillset required of Catalyst executives—balancing quick wins using existing organizational building blocks while driving long-term vision execution. She also shares her secret to reducing friction in transitions: honoring the legacy work and its impact.Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.