Catalysts spark things. They're quick, social and spontaneous, and they're often the person who gets a stuck project moving again. They love brainstorms, launches and new ventures, and they get bored by repetition.
Strengths
- Builds energy and buy-in quickly
- Great at pitching, selling and starting things
- Adapts on the fly
- Builds wide networks
Watch-outs
- Follow-through on routine work
- Can start more than the team can finish
- Long solo work feels draining
Where you work best
A lively office, coworking space or client-facing role, with a partner who handles the details.
A day that fits the Catalyst
- 09:00 Quick team energizer or check-in
- 09:30 Calls, pitches and conversations
- 12:00 Lunch with someone new
- 13:30 A 60-minute sprint on one deliverable
- 15:00 Brainstorm or workshop
- 16:30 Hand off details to the right owner
Tools and habits that help
- Voice memos
- Shared task boards
- Calendar booking links
- A finishing partner or assistant
Productivity methods to try
Eat the frog, Pair working, Kanban. Read how each works in 9 productivity methods.
Works well with
The Sprinter, who turns sparks into shipped work.
Work styles describe preferences, not abilities. Most people use more than one style depending on the task.