Chris Wignall
@chriswignall.bsky.social
LeadWithCatalyst.com
Healthy leadership, organizational culture, family, life, joy...
Healthy leadership, organizational culture, family, life, joy...
"One leader told me recently that their costs are growing 10-15% annually on fixed costs alone.
So how can I expect leaders to spend precious dollars on something as ephemeral as leadership development and team building?"
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/lux...
So how can I expect leaders to spend precious dollars on something as ephemeral as leadership development and team building?"
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/lux...
Luxury Expense? — Lead With Catalyst
One leader told me recently that their costs are growing 10-15% annually on fixed costs alone. So how can I expect leaders to spend precious dollars on something as ephemeral as leadership developmen...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
"One leader told me recently that their costs are growing 10-15% annually on fixed costs alone.
So how can I expect leaders to spend precious dollars on something as ephemeral as leadership development and team building?"
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/lux...
So how can I expect leaders to spend precious dollars on something as ephemeral as leadership development and team building?"
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/lux...
"We have an almost compelling pattern of taking a position on every matter, from the most important to the absolutely trivial. And we need to do it instantaneously.
Obviously this is perilous."
There is a better way.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/be-...
Obviously this is perilous."
There is a better way.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/be-...
Be The Umpire — Lead With Catalyst
As leaders we need the intention and ability to address situations with as much fairness as we can. Whether it’s dealing with an outside complaint, a contentious issue, on the frustrations of interper...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
"We have an almost compelling pattern of taking a position on every matter, from the most important to the absolutely trivial. And we need to do it instantaneously.
Obviously this is perilous."
There is a better way.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/be-...
Obviously this is perilous."
There is a better way.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/be-...
Why would I see this as a problem??
“Recent conversations with clients have touched on a pattern I had never really noticed that I think might be a little concerning:
We prioritize developing people who have the highest leadership potential.”
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/ent...
“Recent conversations with clients have touched on a pattern I had never really noticed that I think might be a little concerning:
We prioritize developing people who have the highest leadership potential.”
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/ent...
Entry Level Expectations — Lead With Catalyst
In our efforts to identify the people who can sit at the executive table someday are we failing to properly support those who will contentedly and effectively spend years (decades?) in management role...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Why would I see this as a problem??
“Recent conversations with clients have touched on a pattern I had never really noticed that I think might be a little concerning:
We prioritize developing people who have the highest leadership potential.”
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/ent...
“Recent conversations with clients have touched on a pattern I had never really noticed that I think might be a little concerning:
We prioritize developing people who have the highest leadership potential.”
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/ent...
Just a thought:
Your favourite charity, and the people there, are feeling a lot of pressure right now. Times are hard/needs are increasing in every charitable cause.
Even a small donation and accompany it with a phone call or message of encouragement and support it would go a long way, I promise.
Your favourite charity, and the people there, are feeling a lot of pressure right now. Times are hard/needs are increasing in every charitable cause.
Even a small donation and accompany it with a phone call or message of encouragement and support it would go a long way, I promise.
November 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Just a thought:
Your favourite charity, and the people there, are feeling a lot of pressure right now. Times are hard/needs are increasing in every charitable cause.
Even a small donation and accompany it with a phone call or message of encouragement and support it would go a long way, I promise.
Your favourite charity, and the people there, are feeling a lot of pressure right now. Times are hard/needs are increasing in every charitable cause.
Even a small donation and accompany it with a phone call or message of encouragement and support it would go a long way, I promise.
"I’m not a world changer, I’m a people changer. Sometimes a team and organization changer."
Some reflection on ambition, being in awe, and finding my own place...
#healthyleaders #healthyorganizations
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/my-...
Some reflection on ambition, being in awe, and finding my own place...
#healthyleaders #healthyorganizations
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/my-...
My (lack of) Ambition — Lead With Catalyst
I work with leaders and organizations often as they define their Vision, Mission, and Values (or Dream/Path/Promise) and set their strategic priorities for years to come. I help them clarify their cau...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:47 PM
"I’m not a world changer, I’m a people changer. Sometimes a team and organization changer."
Some reflection on ambition, being in awe, and finding my own place...
#healthyleaders #healthyorganizations
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/my-...
Some reflection on ambition, being in awe, and finding my own place...
#healthyleaders #healthyorganizations
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/my-...
"Recently I saw a LinkedIn post from Allison Alley, the newly appointed President and CEO of World Vision Canada with a picture of their whole team from a recent staff event. Finding Allison in the shot was a little like playing Where’s Waldo."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/pic...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/pic...
Pics Or It Didn’t Happen — Lead With Catalyst
I’m not saying leaders shouldn’t pose for pictures. I place a higher value on the representative aspects of leaderships roles than many people do because of how crucial I believe organizational cultur...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:53 PM
"Recently I saw a LinkedIn post from Allison Alley, the newly appointed President and CEO of World Vision Canada with a picture of their whole team from a recent staff event. Finding Allison in the shot was a little like playing Where’s Waldo."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/pic...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/pic...
"Saying “I’m the Executive Director of a charity” doesn’t give much clarity. What cause are you addressing? How big is the organization? What does an Executive Director actually do?"
Some thoughts on evolving identity and the value of labels...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/who...
Some thoughts on evolving identity and the value of labels...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/who...
Who Are You? — Lead With Catalyst
As leaders we often have several relevant labels we can choose to reveal, or not. Part of the challenge is that none of these descriptors capture the wholeness of our identities. None of them are tot...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
"Saying “I’m the Executive Director of a charity” doesn’t give much clarity. What cause are you addressing? How big is the organization? What does an Executive Director actually do?"
Some thoughts on evolving identity and the value of labels...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/who...
Some thoughts on evolving identity and the value of labels...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/who...
There are ways that leading a huge charity is very different from a small one; but some things are pretty much the same.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/500...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/500...
$500M or $150K — Lead With Catalyst
I’ve known both of these leaders for some time and I look forward to each time we meet. Both of them are in roles they love and feel deeply connected to. And both have days when the work is hard. Tha...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
There are ways that leading a huge charity is very different from a small one; but some things are pretty much the same.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/500...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/500...
“Dealing with the “bad apple” is a time to use authority.
Winning over a difficult person can be one of the most satisfying experiences a leader can have. But if that fails, to protect the synchronicity of the rest of the team.”
#healthyleaders
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/app...
Winning over a difficult person can be one of the most satisfying experiences a leader can have. But if that fails, to protect the synchronicity of the rest of the team.”
#healthyleaders
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/app...
Apples and Authority — Lead With Catalyst
The healthiest leaders have worked on their own understanding of power and authority. They understand that it is a responsibility that comes with benefits and obligations. And they accept that using a...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
“Dealing with the “bad apple” is a time to use authority.
Winning over a difficult person can be one of the most satisfying experiences a leader can have. But if that fails, to protect the synchronicity of the rest of the team.”
#healthyleaders
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/app...
Winning over a difficult person can be one of the most satisfying experiences a leader can have. But if that fails, to protect the synchronicity of the rest of the team.”
#healthyleaders
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/app...
Charity boards tend to move slowly; here's why that's a good thing (and a bad thing).
"While the board steps away until their next meeting, the staff live in tension, conflict, or uncertainty. Some situations require an emergency meeting and rapid decision."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/boa...
"While the board steps away until their next meeting, the staff live in tension, conflict, or uncertainty. Some situations require an emergency meeting and rapid decision."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/boa...
Board Speed and Staff Speed — Lead With Catalyst
If the board only meets monthly, or quarterly, it’s hard to fully process complex matters in those few hours. Sometimes that serves the organization well as the board is logistically forced to slow th...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Charity boards tend to move slowly; here's why that's a good thing (and a bad thing).
"While the board steps away until their next meeting, the staff live in tension, conflict, or uncertainty. Some situations require an emergency meeting and rapid decision."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/boa...
"While the board steps away until their next meeting, the staff live in tension, conflict, or uncertainty. Some situations require an emergency meeting and rapid decision."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/boa...
"That’s a hard thing to explain to someone who has sincerely been trying their best.
Like so many things in life, the final straw isn’t the biggest."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/tim...
Like so many things in life, the final straw isn’t the biggest."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/tim...
Timeline of Broken Trust — Lead With Catalyst
It’s rarely a single decisive failure. Almost every time it’s an accumulation of smaller errors, misunderstandings, or disagreements that culminate in a situations where the cost of rebuilding trust...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:12 AM
"That’s a hard thing to explain to someone who has sincerely been trying their best.
Like so many things in life, the final straw isn’t the biggest."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/tim...
Like so many things in life, the final straw isn’t the biggest."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/tim...
When a client texts me and says "Do you have ten minutes?"...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/jus...
#healthyleaders #healthyorganizations
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/jus...
#healthyleaders #healthyorganizations
Just Ten Minutes… — Lead With Catalyst
*Phone buzzes with an incoming text message* “Hey Chris do you have ten minutes?’ It happens a couple times pretty much every week; and I like it.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
September 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
When a client texts me and says "Do you have ten minutes?"...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/jus...
#healthyleaders #healthyorganizations
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/jus...
#healthyleaders #healthyorganizations
When someone becomes emotional in a work meeting?
For some teams the tendency is to drop the topic that prompted the emotion, focus on being supportive of their colleague and affirming the relationship.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/sol...
For some teams the tendency is to drop the topic that prompted the emotion, focus on being supportive of their colleague and affirming the relationship.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/sol...
Solving Half The Problem — Lead With Catalyst
I learn a lot from the way people respond when a colleague gets upset. There’s usually a little awkwardness, someone offers some tissues, a hand on the shoulder or even a hug isn’t rare. Those are, wh...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
August 25, 2025 at 9:21 PM
When someone becomes emotional in a work meeting?
For some teams the tendency is to drop the topic that prompted the emotion, focus on being supportive of their colleague and affirming the relationship.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/sol...
For some teams the tendency is to drop the topic that prompted the emotion, focus on being supportive of their colleague and affirming the relationship.
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/sol...
As I’m working a lot with executive and leadership teams I often found myself trying to jury-rig tools and concepts from those two areas. I knew there were missing pieces.
Last week something clicked into place.
#healthyteams
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/wha...
Last week something clicked into place.
#healthyteams
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/wha...
What I Was Missing — Lead With Catalyst
As I’m working a lot with executive and leadership teams I often found myself trying to jury-rig tools and concepts from those two areas to fit the particular needs of these groups. It’s been good, bu...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
August 23, 2025 at 9:42 PM
As I’m working a lot with executive and leadership teams I often found myself trying to jury-rig tools and concepts from those two areas. I knew there were missing pieces.
Last week something clicked into place.
#healthyteams
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/wha...
Last week something clicked into place.
#healthyteams
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/wha...
"Particularly when times are hard, which is the reality for most of the charities I work with these days. We need to intentionally remind ourselves that it’s not about the organization, it’s about the cause."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/mis...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/mis...
Mission First, Org Second — Lead With Catalyst
Without this perspective we easily become short term thinkers, overly competitive with our peers, obsessive about our own performance, and vulnerable to our insecurities. We do dumb stuff because we’r...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
July 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM
"Particularly when times are hard, which is the reality for most of the charities I work with these days. We need to intentionally remind ourselves that it’s not about the organization, it’s about the cause."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/mis...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/mis...
"Just the prospect of receiving feedback had me experiencing a sudden wave of stress before I could even put words to it. At the core of my brain my amygdala was preparing for trouble. I was reacting to a threat before I had any real reason to perceive one."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/fee...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/fee...
Feedback Freeze — Lead With Catalyst
Her tone in bringing up the feedback was calm, even light. Nothing triggering about it at all. And yet… Just the prospect of receiving feedback had me experiencing a sudden wave of stress before I c...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:15 PM
"Just the prospect of receiving feedback had me experiencing a sudden wave of stress before I could even put words to it. At the core of my brain my amygdala was preparing for trouble. I was reacting to a threat before I had any real reason to perceive one."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/fee...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/fee...
Working with charity leaders is both inspiring and heartbreaking. There's a lot to celebrate right now, but also a lot who are struggling. Some victories, some crises.
If you are able to offer a small donation to a cause you care about, or a call or note of encouragement it makes a difference.
If you are able to offer a small donation to a cause you care about, or a call or note of encouragement it makes a difference.
July 10, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Working with charity leaders is both inspiring and heartbreaking. There's a lot to celebrate right now, but also a lot who are struggling. Some victories, some crises.
If you are able to offer a small donation to a cause you care about, or a call or note of encouragement it makes a difference.
If you are able to offer a small donation to a cause you care about, or a call or note of encouragement it makes a difference.
"My peers have been raised to just deal with things we don’t want and can’t avoid. Sometimes that makes us too compliant about real problems, and too passive about things that can and should be changed. Being able to “deal with it” isn’t always a virtue."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/men...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/men...
Menus and Buffets — Lead With Catalyst
One mark of experienced leaders is the ability to anticipate what comes with their choices. Wisdom tells us that something we like often comes with something less appealing included and we can’t alway...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
June 17, 2025 at 8:57 PM
"My peers have been raised to just deal with things we don’t want and can’t avoid. Sometimes that makes us too compliant about real problems, and too passive about things that can and should be changed. Being able to “deal with it” isn’t always a virtue."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/men...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/men...
"Like cleaning out the junk drawer in your desk, you won’t actually find yourself with nothing better to do than pick up those tasks that weren’t important enough to do in the fall, winter, or spring but still felt like they should be on a list somewhere."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/jun...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/jun...
Junk Drawer Summer — Lead With Catalyst
Like cleaning out the junk drawer in your desk or kitchen, you won’t actually find yourself with nothing better to do than pick up those tasks that weren’t important to do in the fall, winter, or spri...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
May 27, 2025 at 9:03 PM
"Like cleaning out the junk drawer in your desk, you won’t actually find yourself with nothing better to do than pick up those tasks that weren’t important enough to do in the fall, winter, or spring but still felt like they should be on a list somewhere."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/jun...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/jun...
Today I've had meaningful conversations with nearly a dozen charity leaders about how to develop staff, handle transitions, lead with more confidence, deal with insecurity, and live out their personal and organizational values. Some may lead to further work for me, some won't. These are good days!
April 30, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Today I've had meaningful conversations with nearly a dozen charity leaders about how to develop staff, handle transitions, lead with more confidence, deal with insecurity, and live out their personal and organizational values. Some may lead to further work for me, some won't. These are good days!
I’ll be speaking the next 4 Sundays at our little country church: www.wfpconline.com
My themes are
April 27 - Sins Against Nature
May 4 - The Nature of Sin
May 11 - The Power of Influence
May 18 - The Influence of Power
I’d love to have you join us. All welcome!
My themes are
April 27 - Sins Against Nature
May 4 - The Nature of Sin
May 11 - The Power of Influence
May 18 - The Influence of Power
I’d love to have you join us. All welcome!
West Flamboro Presbyterian Church | Presbyterian | Flamborough, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Welcome to West Flamboro Presbyterian Church. We are a worshipping community found at Christie's Corners. To learn more about us, visit our website.
www.wfpconline.com
April 26, 2025 at 4:54 AM
I’ll be speaking the next 4 Sundays at our little country church: www.wfpconline.com
My themes are
April 27 - Sins Against Nature
May 4 - The Nature of Sin
May 11 - The Power of Influence
May 18 - The Influence of Power
I’d love to have you join us. All welcome!
My themes are
April 27 - Sins Against Nature
May 4 - The Nature of Sin
May 11 - The Power of Influence
May 18 - The Influence of Power
I’d love to have you join us. All welcome!
I hope as we Canadians put our “Elbows Up” in response to America’s provocations we don’t forget to open our arms to those in need in our country and around the world. Let’s not allow the real stress we’re facing to make us afraid to show care & kindness. That’s a big part of what’s best about us.
March 4, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I hope as we Canadians put our “Elbows Up” in response to America’s provocations we don’t forget to open our arms to those in need in our country and around the world. Let’s not allow the real stress we’re facing to make us afraid to show care & kindness. That’s a big part of what’s best about us.
"They felt that their personal integrity was being compromised by being associated with a leader who seemed to have abandoned the core values of the organization in pursuit of something they couldn’t support.
It was a real problem."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/a-c...
It was a real problem."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/a-c...
A Conundrum of Conscience — Lead With Catalyst
They felt that their personal integrity was being compromised by being associated with a leader who seemed to have abandoned the core values of the organization in pursuit of something they couldn’t s...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
February 19, 2025 at 9:58 PM
"They felt that their personal integrity was being compromised by being associated with a leader who seemed to have abandoned the core values of the organization in pursuit of something they couldn’t support.
It was a real problem."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/a-c...
It was a real problem."
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/a-c...
"As charity leaders in Canada we need to learn from the past and recognize the current reality; relying on the USA for programs, partners, or supporters was never a sure thing and it’s probably getting more difficult."
#charityleadership #healthyleaders
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/the...
#charityleadership #healthyleaders
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/the...
The American Exception — Lead With Catalyst
This isn’t meant to be a political statement, but a practical one. As charity leaders in Canada we need to learn from the past and recognize the current reality; relying on the USA for programs, partn...
www.leadwithcatalyst.com
February 18, 2025 at 11:13 PM
"As charity leaders in Canada we need to learn from the past and recognize the current reality; relying on the USA for programs, partners, or supporters was never a sure thing and it’s probably getting more difficult."
#charityleadership #healthyleaders
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/the...
#charityleadership #healthyleaders
www.leadwithcatalyst.com/insights/the...