What are Catalytic Mechanisms?

Catalytic Mechanisms, proposed by Jim Collins (1999), are methods that facilitate organizations to turn goals into results by linking goals to performance.

What are the Characteristics of Catalytic Mechanisms? 

Collins notes five characteristics that separate catalytic mechanisms from traditional managerial devices:

• A catalytic mechanism produces desired results in unpredictable ways. 
• A catalytic mechanisms distribute power for the benefit of the overall system, to the detriment of this who hold power.
• A catalytic mechanisms put a process in place that all but guarantees that the vision will be fulfilled.
• A catalytic mechanism help organizations to get the right people in the first place, keep them, and eject those who do not share the company’s core values.
• A catalytic mechanisms produce a long-lasting effect.

What are the Steps in the Catalytic Mechanisms Process?

• Add and remove initiatives, systems, strategies, etc. 
• Create idiosyncratic adaptions or new creations to address unique situation.
• Rely entirely on money reflects shallow understanding of human behavior.
• Catalytic mechanisms must evolve over time. 
• Create multiple integrated, catalytic mechanisms.