Leadership Lessons With Longtime President of Catalyst Brad Lomenick

Whether you are leading a staff team, Sunday school class of children, a small group, family or ministry, leadership in its various forms is difficult. Deadlines, burnout, not enough workers or resources, troublesome staff, you name it, there is always an issue to deal with.  Speaker and leadership consultant Brad Lomenick knows many of these trials first-hand. I had the opportunity to get to know Brad through Catalyst conferences, one of America’s largest movements of Christian leaders. He served as the lead visionary and president for Catalyst for over a decade. Catalyst brings hundreds of thousands of influencers together for high-energy and experiential leadership conferences.

During his time with Catalyst, Brad experienced his own leadership crisis and decided to take a much-needed sabbatical. For four months, Brad rested, reflected and took a personal quest to collect insights from his network of successful business leaders such as John Maxwell, Jim Collins and Malcom Gladwell. It brought his passion back to life and inspired his latest book, H3 LEADERSHIP: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle. 

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7

Brad shares one of his takeaways from his sabbatical that he expands upon in his book.

“Effective leadership, the type that enables one to become a change agent in the modern world, is more than hard work; it is habitual work. It is worked out every day in the tasks we complete, the ways we approach our work, and the rhythms we nurture in our lives. It hangs on the hooks of the patterns we create, not just the success we may stumble upon.”

Rather than talk about the philosophies of leadership, H3 Leadership provides 20 key leadership habits that enable leaders to become better and stronger. It is a practical application-based resource that provides much-needed guidance on how to run the leadership race well. In addition to sharing his own experience, Brad also includes insights from some of America’s most-respected leaders.

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Hebrews 13:17

Brad reflects on how other leaders have impacted his leadership style.

“The leaders I respect the most are the ones who continue to run the race well until the gun goes off, whether that’s because their life is over or they retire. That’s the posture of hungry: the idea that you constantly are learning and getting better. That’s the kind of leader I want to be. I think that’s the kind of leaders we need today.”

H3 stands for the phrase “hustle, hungry, humble,” which is Brad’s life mantra. It describes the leader who is not only willing to work hard, but get it done and make sure it’s not about them. Brad is passionate about equipping the next generation to live out these three transformational habits. Each habit falls into one of three categories, defined as the three H’s of leadership: Humble (Who am I?), Hungry (Where do I want to go?) and Hustle (How will I get there?).

Brad expands on his H3 leadership principals in that they are developed through daily habits.

“Leadership for the long haul comes from implementing regular, daily practices into your leadership journey. Habits create standard operating procedures in your life and are the fuel to get to the finish line. Habits move leadership from complex to simple.”

Brad Lomenick’s H3 Leadership is just one of many leadership resources that will equip you to become a more effective leader. We encourage you whatever leadership capacity you are in to continue to glean from other leaders through conferences, like Catalyst, read and listen to leadership resources that will sharpen your skills and rest.  We look forward to hearing how God uses you to impact others!

Risen Reflections

Rest! Whether you are in your first or fiftieth year of leadership, every leader can benefit of taking a Sabbath and sabbatical. A weekly day of is just as important as an extended period of time off. The weekly time off often helps prevent burn out. Pray, read, reflect, listen to worship and don’t forget to do the things that make you who you are.

Find a humble model. Surround yourself with other friends, leaders and co-workers who exemplify humility. Observe what they do that makes them different. Ask them to challenge you and call you out to become a more humble leader. In a self-promoting, self-seeking culture, this can be challenging. However, the ultimate example of humility was Christ, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

What are you hungry for? While we love ice cream and pizza, take time to discover what you are hungry for or passionate about. Pray and ask God to show you your unique gifts, talents and calling. It can be a cause, event, country or people group. This will help you set your priorities. You can use those things as a platform to be a leader for Christ. Even when things are challenging, don’t give up.

Get your hustle on! Are you willing to arrive early and put in extra hours to not just make sure the job gets done, but doing it with excellence? As a leader others look up to you, what you do in moderation, they will do in excess. So if you cut corners, so will those who you lead. Even when you are in a position of leadership, don’t allow your pride and title to creep in and limit you from serving alongside your team. Many of the best leaders can be found amongst the trenches setting the pace for those they lead.