Posted June 5, 2013 Book: The Catalyst Leader: 8 Essentials for becoming a change maker Author: Brad Lomenick Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 2013. Pp. 244 An Excerpt from the Jacket: We need great leaders. More than ever we need authentic, collaborative, inspiring men and women of integrity at the helm of society --- and too often our leaders fall short. Some focus on personal success, alienating those they lead. Others shift their principles when it is convenient. There is a better way. You can energize and inspire the people around you. You can equip a team of principled collaborators to answer God's calling. You can be a catalyst leader. In The Catalyst Leader, Brad Lomenick describes the skills and principles that define a true change maker. This book offers eight key essentials by which a leader can influence others and make a difference, laying out the path to the keys for becoming an effective leader. Lomenick shares wisdom, practical knowledge, and stories of success and failure from his own journey of running Catalyst, one of America's most influential leadership movements. And the lives of dozens of leaders around the world --- from the creators of family reality shows to pastors, from ranch workers to a Silicon Valley designer. An Excerpt from the Book: The time has come for you to be who God has called you to be, to live out his purpose for your life. Never let your ambition force you to create a false self. As you lead, share the real you with others. Root yourself in an untamable love for God. Seek Him first, and let him handle the lesser things. As you pursue this calling, make excellence a non-negotiable. God deserves the best. When the time comes to take a risk or make a difficult decision, push through the fear. He'll sustain you. Let your convictions and principles steady you. Hold fast to your integrity, discipline, and humility. When stress runs high and difficulties arise, keep hoping. Remember that, with God on your side, a better tomorrow is possible. Build bridges, not walls, with those around you. There's power in partnerships. And finally, don't believe the lie that you are the center of the universe. Seek out older leaders who can help grow you, encourage you, and guide you. And then pour your life into others. Table of Contents: 1. Called: find your uniqueness 2. Authentic: unleash the real you 3. Passionate: live in pursuit of God 4. Capable: make excellence non-negotiable 5. Courageous: prepare to jump 6. Principled: anchor in your convictions 7. Hopeful: build toward a better tomorrow 8. Collaborative: draw power from partners