The complex challenges facing today's public leaderseconomic development, homelessness, teen pregnancy, and many others - have no quick-fix solutions. Interconnected in nature, with an impact on virtually every segment of society, these issues require that leaders in federal, state, and local agencies reach out beyond their boundaries to engage a much broader group of stakeholders to create sustainable strategies to address them.

Catalytic Leadership presents a new kind of leadership that is more successful with these complex, interconnected problems. Effective public leaders act as catalysts who convene multiple stakeholder groups, facilitate and mediate agreements around tough issues, think systematically and strategically about sustainable actions. They are passionate about reaching a particular outcome yet remain flexible and inclusive on specific strategies to reach the desired results.

In contrast to traditional leadership, which is based on hierarchical authority, taking charge and "seizing the reins," the catalytic leader is an elected official, appointed public manager, civic leader, or community volunteer who brings together diverse individuals from multiple agencies to address interconnected public problems and work together toward solutions.