2024 Recap
I failed five math exams in a row in high school (without ever failing a course).
So it’s safe to say I’m not really a numbers guy.
But when I reflect back on 2024, the third year since Lead With Catalyst was launched as my own business as a spin off from Catalyst Foundation, some of the statistics definitely help tell the story. I worked with hundreds of leaders across more than three dozen charities. And I saw some remarkable impact.
By the numbers:
268 PACE Calls: I love the hours I spend one on one with charity leaders offering them some combination of Perspective, Accountability, Challenge, and Encouragement. (I don’t call it coaching, but that’s a fair description). Being trusted with the vulnerable aspects of leadership and life by so many people I enjoy and admire is something I never take for granted. I offer this service on 12 month individual contracts or as part of team leadership development.
115 Group Sessions: With more than three dozen of my own developed workshops that are available to customize for the needs of my clients, I take pride in providing them with both pragmatic content and skilled facilitation to ensure they can make the best use of it. I do offer these as single sessions, but the impact grows significantly when we commit to monthly workshops. Seeing leadership teams develop over the course of a year or more allows me to understand their dynamics and situations to be even more effective.
10 Webinars/Keynote talks: My most popular topic last year was The Power of Celebration which reached hundreds of leaders with a call to develop the skill of celebration for healthier leadership and more effective organizations. The feedback for speaking at conferences and delivering remote webinars on themes like Time To Take A Stand and Elephant Hunting gives me a chance to share with larger groups. I’ve delivered more than a thousand speeches, sermons, and talks in my career and its always fun to prepare a new one or adjust an established one to reach a new audience.
2 Major Special Projects: Facilitating a 9 month Discernment and Strategy Committee process with Sanctuary Toronto and designing and delivering a focused organizational health program with The Wellspring Foundation for Education were exciting challenges in 2024. The deep trust involved in guiding organizations through key seasons in their stories is powerful. Seeing their progress in greater clarity, stronger vision, and healthier connections is profoundly satisfying.
8 Retreats facilitated: Providing training, facilitating meaningful conversations, and offering general host/MC direction to teams during the high leverage times away is a great way to make quick progress. Collaborating in the design of the whole retreat and even leading some games and fun challenges along the way brings me back to some of my roles from decades ago. Being invited to guide repeated staff retreats with Tearfund Canada in the last couple years enabled me to know them well and assist them through a CEO transition as well.
$65k funding accessed: An ongoing relationship with a donor advised fund at The Oakville Community Foundation made it possible for several of my clients to receive grants that offset a significant portion of my fees. I continue to be grateful to the donors who place a high value on leadership development.
I don’t know if 2025 will be as full, but I certainly hope so. AS I continue to refine my skills, tools, and approach I find myself becoming more focused and effective, and more able to recommend other consultants when I’m not the best fit for an organization.
If I can be of help to you and your organization this year I’d love to hear from you.