Catalyst  by Peter Freeth

Peter's profile on the executive and business coaching network

For those of you without a scientific or chemistry background, I should just explain what a catalyst is. Probably the most familiar application of a catalyst is in the catalytic converter of a car, which helps turn toxic carbon monoxide into slightly less toxic carbon dioxide.

A catalyst is a substance, often a precious metal, that accelerates a chemical reaction. It doesn't seem to take part in the reaction, although it may exchange parts of itself with the substances directly involved in the reaction on a second by second basis. If you look at a catalyst over a long period of time, it does not change. The catalyst can work by lowering the temperature necessary for a chemical reaction to take place. The reaction would happen naturally without the catalyst, it would just take much longer.

So, the interesting thing about a catalyst is that it doesn't appear to be involved in the reaction, yet it clearly plays a very important role in it. The catalyst may exchange parts of itself to help speed the reaction along, but it doesn't give anything away permanently. The catalyst is no different at the start of the reaction to at the end of it.

A catalyst accelerates change without becoming involved in it.

Bear this in mind as you help people to change.

Peter Freeth is a leading business coach, author and trainer.

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