I never went to college and seminary thinking about being a leader. I went because I wanted to help people, to help students in their journey to the Kingdom of God. But, a leader I am. And to do my job well, I have to lead.I first attended a Catalyst conference in April 2012, and it really changed my perspective on what was possible if I took my role as a leader seriously. So, when Brad Lomenick, the president of Catalyst Conferences, released The Catalyst Leader: 8 Essentials for Becoming a Change Maker, it was a no-brainer for me to pick one up and give it a read.Brad's book is a wealth of information and inspiration for those who are leading organizations that seek to effect change. It is at the same time both humble and authoritative. It's well organized and well written, interesting and insightful. In just a couple hundred pages, you get thoughts on 8 areas that all leaders need to be thinking about. Two that strike me the most are "capable" and "collaborative."Leaders who are capable stress excellence in everything they do. They set high standards for themselves and for the organization they lead. Sadly, in many churches, excellence is just something we hope for, not something we strive for. But a capable leader helps those around them reach new heights, and closely guards the ideals of their organization. No one feels proud when quality is compromised, no matter the bottom line. So, a capable leaders knows that excellence not only produces a great product, but also keeps their organization engaged and enthusiastic.Leaders who are collaborative show a special brand of humility that says, "it's not about empire, it's about kingdom." When we work with others, even others who may be in competition with us, we communicate that it's not all about us or all about our brand. This is probably never more important than in the church. Sometimes leaders can feel threatened by another organization, but a collaborative catalyst leader pushes through those barriers for the sake of their people and their product.If you're a leader of a church, a non-profit, or even the small business around the corner, this is a must read. It gives simple, usable, and inspiration instructions on how not only to make yourself, as a leader, better, but also the people you employ and serve. This should definitely be part of your collection.