A Catalyst for Change: How Alignment and Relationships Accelerate Change

by John Bost, Patty Sawvel

Working to better the world can be exhausting. What if there’s an alternate strategy—which consumes less time and energy—and yields greater results? That’s the definition of a catalyst. It works in the lab and it works in real life.Whether you’re slaying the dragon of social inequities, breaking down barriers to effective education, or cheerleading B-Corps that share profits with the under-resourced—there is the formula to get it done faster and smarter.In fact, it equipped John Bost to move the needle in all five sectors—public education, business, politics, religion, and social activism. Unconventional? Yes. Applicable? More than ever!•Master the Lever of Change –know when to push, when to back off, and how to manage the pushback.•Sharpen your others-oriented skills with mindful Appreciative Inquiry.•Become fluent in the language of Cross-sector Collaboration.Capture in a few hours what it took Bost 50 years to discover. By retracing his steps, you’ll secure the “whys” as well as the “whats” and “hows.” Then, you will have a few more tools to tackle the mission that you were called to accomplish. It works. It’s waiting. It’s time.ABOUT THE AUTHOR John Bost fondly refers to himself as a blind hog in a field of acorns. In other words, life is so full of opportunities to do what is best for everyone, that it doesn’t take extraordinary skills. It takes heart.He learned to be “others-oriented” from his father and grandfather—blue-collar workers who respected all people long before it was politically correct. Standing on this core value—genuinely caring about the other person—Bost has built relationships that have lasted a lifetime.In fact, he claims, “Relational capital is the most precious asset that I own. And I will protect my relationships at all cost.”It’s these hard-earned relationships; with people in all five sectors, that consistently allow Bost to be the catalyst—the trusted connector—to achieve results only possible with cross-sector collaboration.His record stands for itself—50 years in five sectors moving the needle—Public Education (Associate Superintendent), Religion (Executive Pastor), Business (Owner), Politics (Mayor), and Social Reform (Activist).While most of his learning came from living and giving, he did earn his Bachelor of Science in Biology, Master’s in Community Development, and subsequently an Ed.S. in Leadership and Administration from Appalachian State University.In 2018, Appalachian State University inducted John Bost into the Rhododendron Society, in honor of his significant impact as a teacher and a humanitarian. Like the rhododendron flower, Bost continues to bloom. Bost lives with his wife and soulmate, LaDonna Setzer Bost, in Clemmons, North Carolina. ABOUT THE CO-AUTHOR Award-winning writer, Patty Jo Sawvel, learned the art of storytelling on her father’s knee. Bypassing the traditional route of college, Sawvel jumped into the newspaper business.In her first year, the North Carolina Press Association awarded her work First Place for investigative reporting. Within two years, she’d collected a second award.Next, Sawvel honed her skills as a journalist by writing cover stories on her favorite subjects—people and their awe-inspiring lives. It was then that Sawvel found her true fascination—writing and publishing biographies.Her trademark—capturing the voice of her client, while connecting the reader to the story in a most personal way. Three of her authored/co-authored works have received global recognition*, including her own story, Under the The Town That Listened to its Kids. “I’ve always wanted to know how the ‘real world’ works.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2020

About the author

JOHN R. BOST has over 30 years experience in education, spanning the pre-school years through graduate school. Twenty years were spent in the public school sector serving the classroom in all sciences, as well as administration.

A certified executive coach, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, a Master of Arts in Community Education & Resource Development, as well as an Education Specialist Degree in Leadership & Administration, all from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

John is an ordained minister, married to LaDonna Bost a retired English Teacher and interior designer. They have one daughter, Summer Bost Jackson, an Elementary Principal with the WSFC Schools.

He has served two terms on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Planning Board; served on the boards of various Early Childhood initiatives; an appointment with the Mayor’s Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness; the Infant Mortality Coalition; a Paul Harris Fellow, as well as being actively involved in several Community Development Corporations. He is a previous chairman of Leadership Winston-Salem, served 3 terms as Mayor in Clemmons, NC, and former Chair of the Clemmons Community Foundation. An entrepreneur, John is licensed with the N.C Real Estate Commission, owner of Master Counsel and Associates, Inc., and co-founder of two other start-up companies.

John was recently inducted into the Rhododendron Society of the Reich College of Education at ASU for his work in education and community.

He has now authored three books:
The Church in Foreclosure, 2009;
A Catalyst for Change, 2020;
Jake and John, written in 2004, Published September 2020.

Reviews

[Audrey Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life lived on purpose

I’ve known John Bost for two decades and was fortunate to work with him a short impactful while. This book clearly illustrates the drive and passion from which John works. I recommend A Catalyst for Change to anyone interested in an example of what it takes to live one’s life for the purpose of leaving the world better than they found it.

[Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The five sectors discussed in this book posses their own goals and risks, so they rarely align themselves to accomplish projects that necessitate their collaboration.

Bost has leadership experience in each of these sectors and shares stories of bringing the sectors together to solve wicked problems. This professional autobiography serves as a sector Rosetta Stone for leaders of all types to realize the collaboration that delivers justice to the underprivileged in our communities. Spoiler: relationship is the most important prerequisite to collaboration.

This book is especially valuable to young leaders because the sooner we soak in these ideas, the better — but by no means are they pedantic or elementary.