Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.

In this episode, Meghann Brock, Director of Innovation for The Permanente Medical Group Northern California region, shares her insights on how to match catalytic speed to what she calls “the organizational speed limits.” Our desire as Catalysts to move quickly and get things done at speed can feel good at first, but she points out, as we leave people behind in our desire to move quickly, it will actually take us longer to get to the finish line. This can be particularly true in heavily regulated industries. But if you arrive at the finish line alone, you’ve lost. Meghann describes several key steps we need to take to make sure we’re moving at a velocity the organization can handle including: paying attention to the different stakeholder groups you need to engage, sensing when the timing is right for your vision, the power of storytelling that must include stories of customers that illustrate the power and impact of your vision, and being able to manage this emotional load by creating intentional breaks in your day, even if it’s just a few minutes between meetings. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dominick Bizzarro, a Catalyst executive and former Chief Strategy Officer at MVP Healthcare, now an executive coach specializing in guiding women and humanistic leaders into top leadership roles. Dominick shared valuable insights on driving change within large organizations, emphasizing the importance of kindness, involving others in realizing a shared vision, and fostering self-awareness. He highlighted how supporting Catalysts in his organization through these core skills helped accelerate positive change and increase organizational agility. He also shared his super fun idea about how he has used generative AI to create a virtual personal Advisory Board to support him as he moves into a new phase of his Catalyst executive journey. Book recommended: My Life In Full by Indra Nooyi Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Andre Christian, founder of Evoke IQ and former VP of Innovation and Product Design at SES Satellites, shares his journey of discovering his unique value as a Catalyst and how it has shaped his leadership approach. Andre begins by discussing the realization of his unique skills. Throughout his career, he often felt like a "jack of all trades, master of none," until he connected with the Catalyst community. This experience helped him understand that his ability to anticipate change, think ahead, and drive transformation was not only rare but highly valuable. Finding his tribe of like-minded Catalysts made him feel "forever employable," as he finally recognized and embraced his true worth. Andre then delves into how a Catalyst must lead with empathy, have support, and identify the right environment. He emphasizes the importance of understanding where an organization is in its readiness for change and leading with questions rather than a hard sell. Strong support from senior leadership is crucial for a Catalyst's success, as it provides the confidence needed to push forward with innovative ideas. Andre also highlights the necessity of finding an organization that is genuinely open to transformation, ensuring that the Catalyst's efforts will be supported and valued. He also addresses the challenges of running ahead, burnout, and performing while transforming. As a forward-thinking leader, Andre has experienced the difficulties of moving too far ahead of his organization, as well as the personal toll of burnout. He shares his strategies for managing these challenges, including the importance of mindfulness and self-care. Andre also introduces the concept of "perform while transforming," emphasizing the need for leaders to balance ongoing performance with the demands of organizational change. Finally, Andre reflects on the success of the Catalyst Program at SES, where he played a pivotal role in identifying and empowering change agents within the company. This program not only drove significant transformation but also created a network of Catalysts who were instrumental in moving the organization forward. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we connect with Tricia Carey, Former Chief Commercial Officer at Renewcell, a leader with decades of experience in the industry. Tricia shares her insights on overcoming resistance to change by emphasizing the importance of knowing your audience and building strong relationships. She highlights how understanding the motivations and needs of different stakeholders is key to driving transformation. Tricia underscores this with her belief that "it's not companies who do business together. It's people who do business together." Tricia also delves into the power of building a personal and professional persona. She explains how reflecting on your approach and adapting your persona to fit different roles and audiences can be crucial in leading change. This self-awareness allows leaders to connect more effectively with their teams and stakeholders, ensuring that their message resonates and drives action. Throughout the conversation, Tricia emphasizes how these relationships and a well-crafted persona can create a supportive network that amplifies efforts and overcomes resistance, particularly in advancing circularity initiatives. Her approach to community-building, such as through the "Carved to Blue" blog, showcases how aligning people around a shared mission can drive significant innovation in the textile industry. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we connect with Chuck Patrick, Head of Strategic Program Management at AXIS Capital. Chuck shares his journey and how he has carved out a unique role helping executives turn transformative ideas into reality. He emphasizes the "Mobilization of Great Ideas," guiding leaders through the process of moving from vision to execution and iteration. Chuck discusses how great Catalysts excel at getting others to embrace change by viewing the organization as an ecosystem, building trust, and surrounding themselves with individuals who think differently. He underscores the importance of relationships in driving change, noting that successful Catalysts leverage their networks and build strong, trust-based connections to facilitate transformation. Chuck also delves into the challenges of implementing change, emphasizing the difficulty in maintaining momentum and energy throughout the process. Initial enthusiasm often wanes, making it crucial to monitor organizational dynamics and pay attention to personal resilience. He highlights the importance of separating work from personal life and engaging in activities that recharge him, like reading and exercising. By maintaining a balanced perspective and not overly identifying with his job, Chuck effectively navigates the ups and downs of organizational change. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our conversation with Patrick Vanbrabandt, CEO of the Carya Group, he shares his journey from a self-described "extreme nerd" to a leader deeply focused on understanding and empowering people. Patrick reflects on his early passion for technology and how it evolved into a fascination with how people work together and achieve success. This shift in focus led him to realize that technology should serve people, not the other way around. Over time, this perspective became central to his leadership style. He discusses the importance of responsibility and autonomy in driving innovation. Patrick explains how the Catalyst Program within his company has empowered employees by giving them the freedom to pursue their ideas with minimal oversight. This autonomy, coupled with a strong sense of responsibility, has significantly contributed to the company's growth and success. Patrick also touches on the delicate balance of steering transformation while minimizing disruption. He emphasizes the power of vision and consistency, noting that while it's crucial to stay the course, it's equally important not to pivot too quickly. Instead, he advocates breadcrumbing—bringing people along with change over time. This approach ensures that people are on board and reduces resistance to change. Patrick's insights offer valuable lessons on how leaders can successfully navigate the complexities of organizational transformation by focusing on people, maintaining a clear vision, and empowering their teams. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode features Deborah Reuben, CEO of TomorrowZone, as she shares her experiences leading transformative change in the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry, an area often resistant to innovation. Deborah emphasizes the importance of a human-centered approach to innovation. She explains that while technology plays a crucial role, the success of any transformation depends on bringing people along in the process. Deborah believes that considering the human side of change is essential to achieving lasting and impactful results. She also discusses the challenges of loneliness as a Catalyst, particularly in industries where the voice of the status quo is strong. Deborah highlights the importance of finding support from other Catalysts outside her organization, which has been crucial in maintaining her momentum and drive. She shares how connecting with like-minded innovators globally has provided her with the inspiration and community needed to continue pushing forward. Deborah’s insights are a powerful reminder that transformative change requires not only a strategic vision but also a deep understanding of the human elements involved and the support of a strong, external network of Catalysts. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this insightful episode, Alexis Haass, former Chief Sustainability Officer at Arcadis and a seasoned leader in sustainability, shares her journey and lessons learned about driving transformative change in large organizations. Reflecting on her time at Adidas, Alexis highlights the importance of having strong allies. Building relationships with leaders who share your vision can drive significant change, such as adopting 100% recycled polyester. Allies not only provide support but also help push the agenda forward when progress stalls. A critical aspect of Alexis's approach is translating vision into business language. She underscores the need to align sustainability initiatives with business objectives, crafting compelling stories that connect the larger mission with concrete outcomes. For example, Adidas’s success with a shoe made from recycled ocean plastics showcased how sustainability can resonate with both the business and consumers. Alexis also stresses the importance of recalibrating your message depending on the audience and making others win. By spotlighting the contributions of others, Catalysts can build a supportive network and make change more sustainable as others take ownership of the process. Her insights serve as a powerful reminder that while the journey of a Catalyst can be challenging, strategic vision, strong allies, effective storytelling, and a focus on collective success are key to driving lasting change. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Susie Coelho, a best-selling author, television personality, lifestyle expert, and entrepreneur, who is currently the founder and CEO of Susie Coelho Enterprises. Susie’s journey, marked by her incredible drive and resilience, showcases her ability to reinvent herself and succeed in diverse fields. Susie emphasizes that hard work and necessity are critical drivers of success. She never borrowed money from anyone, relying solely on her ability to generate income and create opportunities. This mindset, instilled by her immigrant background, underscores the importance of working diligently to make one's mark and achieve financial independence. Susie's journey is a testament to her adaptability. She transitioned from being a model to an actress, and then to opening a store on Melrose Avenue after a divorce created the need for money to pay the mortgage. Susie shared the details of reinventing herself after taking time to raise her son. She conducted a “listening tour” with friends to identify her strengths and passions, which led her to establish a personal brand, combining elements of Oprah’s inspiration and Martha Stewart’s style. Susie successfully built a lifestyle brand and company that gained widespread recognition. Susie demonstrates the power of courage and persistence, and her ability to sense the right timing has often led to her success. As she moves forward with her next venture, she firmly believes that "the best is yet to come," – both for herself, and as a central message she will be sharing with others - inspiring others to strive towards their future goals. Her new phase is deeply aligned to what we found in research we did for our Catalyst Leadership Trust, that Catalysts never really retire, they move into their ‘third 3rd’ of their career focusing on projects that fill their souls. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Kirsner, CEO of Innolead. Scott shares his journey from his early days being a Catalyst at the Boston Globe, where he helped build the newspaper’s first website, to founding Innolead in 2013. Since launching InnoLead, Scott has had his finger on the pulse of the latest trends and insights about corporate innovation. In this conversation, Scott shares some key takeaways from their latest research,"The Future of the Innovation Team" including innovators' top challenges: driving revenue growth, increasing agility, and adopting new technologies like AI. He highlights the importance of acting on gathered insights within large organizations, which is something we know you do Catalysts! “The problem in large companies is not the gathering signal and understanding what's happening. It's the doing something about it.” Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.