Developing your catalytic leadership skills is an iterative process. But taking the time to build these skills can be transformative for both your foundation and its grantee partners.
"The catalytic leadership skills allow funders to build a dimensioned, nuanced understanding of the work. In our case, it has allowed us to develop a mature understanding of the changing landscape in which we fund and develop relationships in a way that makes the effort one that is mutually fulfilling between funders and grantees rather than a transactional approach."
— John Richardson, Blackstone Ranch InstituteReflection Prompts
Take time to reflect on these prompts and develop these leadership skills as you work to build and refine them:
When we listen deeply and humbly to those we serve, we can learn about their true needs and how we can partner most effectively. When and in what capacity have you engaged in deep listening? What was that like?
Relationships are at the core of social change. Lean funders are perfectly positioned to develop these relationships. Ask yourself: How can I show up to support grantees financially and with nongrant strategies? Are there relationships in which I need to invest more time and energy?
Deep listening and strong relationships put catalytic leaders in a prime position to scan the landscape — identifying gaps in services, leverage points for initiating change, and creative solutions to complex problems. When was the last time you formally scanned the landscape of your focus area?
As you progress on your catalytic journey, these key skills will continue to pay dividends if you invest the time and effort to refine them. Like any skill, they will atrophy if left by the wayside — or they can continue to grow with practice and effort.
- Ask key decision makers: Who in our community do we listen to most? Whose voices are missing from our decisions?
- Schedule a listening session with three to five grantees — with no agenda other than to ask, "What do you need?"
- Map your current relationships: who do you know well, and where are the gaps?
- The 2026 FOMR found that 76% of foundations maintain authentic community relationships — read the full Key Skills section for benchmarks and context.
- Attend an Exponent Philanthropy program focused on relationship-building and community engagement.
- Use the Member Directory to connect with funders who have invested deeply in landscape scanning.