10 Questions with Leader Brad Lomenick – Catalyst

Brad Lomenick leads the Catalyst Leader team that is helping to shape the leadership culture in many churches today.  Before leading the charge on Catalyst, he helped lead a cool magazine called Life@Work and did consulting with lots of companies. Brad’s position with Catalyst gives him access to some great leaders.  I thought it would be interesting to hear from his perspective on leadership.  You can follow Brad on Twitter HERE.

Here are 10 questions with Brad Lomenick:

When you were growing up, is this what you thought you would be doing vocationally?  If not, what did you want to do?

No, not necessarily. I really thought while I was in middle school and high school, and early in college- I would be in politics. Or that I would be a coach and school administrator, like my dad. Once I got to college I realized I really liked business, and leadership, and enjoyed connecting people together.

What’s the most different job you’ve had from what you are doing now and how did that job help you with what you are doing now?

After college, I worked as a wrangler and ranch Foreman at a guest ranch in Colorado- Lost Valley Ranch. Amazing place. Riding horses and hanging out with guests most of the day. We had 150 horses and 200 head of cattle, and the ranch was an hour from the closest town, so I really had to become an “expert” in horses, ranching, veterinary work, cattle, and the entire world of running a ranch. That experience really refined my work ethic, my focus on building authentic relationships, and the understanding of living out the Gospel by serving others until they ask “why.” We loved building bridges with our guests, and making them into “family” instead of just being a guest.

Who is one person, besides Christ, who most helped to shape your leadership and how did they help you?

That’s a tough one. Probably my dad, in terms of what it meant to work hard and be excellent at what you do. And Bob Foster, the founder of Lost Valley Ranch, also had a huge impact on me in my mid 20’s- more in spiritual development, a strong passion for the Bible and scriptural engagement, and for building into others and refining my style of leadership.

Besides the Bible, what is one book that has most helped to shape your thought process in life and ministry?

Another tough one. If I have to choose one book, it would probably be Good to Great by Jim Collins.

What are three words other people would use to describe your work style/ethic?

Collaborator, Focus, Achiever, Excellence

What is your greatest strength in leadership?

Ability to create partnerships, and involve lots of leaders in the process. Plus being willing to stay focused on execution and moving the ball across the finish line.

What is your greatest weakness in leadership?

I am a strong ENTJ on the Myers Briggs. Which has it’s goods and bads. My high achiever/focus can sometimes come across as overwhelming and brash. I have to make sure I connect with my team personally, and they know that intensity is part of who I am.

What is the hardest thing you have to do in leadership?

Trying to balance a work hard and play hard culture, the ability to stay focused as a team, and maintaining a standard of excellence, and continually improving.

What is one misconception about your position you think people may have?

I would probably say the greatest misconception is that because Catalyst is big, and we put on large events, people sense we “know it all” and have a huge team that pulls off the events we do. But our team is small, and we are hard workers, but we know that we don’t know it all. We embrace the truth that Gods does extraordinary things through ordinary people. And our team is just a bunch of ordinary, young, passionate followers of Christ who are willing to be part of something extraordinary that God is doing through Catalyst.

If you could give one piece of advise to young leaders from what you’ve learned by experience, what would it be?

Learn from everyone- whether someone who is 61 or 21, a CEO or just entering the workforce, it doesn’t matter. We can learn from all the folks around us. And especially be willing to learn, and LISTEN, to those you might disagree with.

Great interview Brad!  Thanks for leading a great team that helps so many leaders.

Have you been to Catalyst?  Are you going this year? I will be blogging from Atlanta this year and I would love to see you there.