Over the next several weeks, as we quickly approach Catalyst Conference (Oct. 8-10), the Catalyst Road Trip will be touring Atlanta meeting with local leaders and influencers as well as group leaders that have been a significant part of the Catalyst Movement.  This morning is a morning that will not quickly be forgotten - Ed Bastian, President of Delta Airlines (now the largest airline provider in the world after announcing their merge with Northwest Airlines) stopped by the Catalyst office to meet with our team and share more of his journey.

Ed left the office about an hour ago so the video is not edited yet but will be soon, stay tuned...you are not going to want to miss what he shared with us.  Brad Lomenick lead the intreview, Jeremie Kubicek (owner and President of our parent organization, Giant Impact) joined us along with Jayson Teagle, one of Giant's charismatic young leaders.  I was on hand to capture this moment for you and the rest of our Catalyst audience through pictures and video.  We asked Ed to share with us a more intimate glimpse of his story both personally and professionally...his answers were gold.  Ed took a few minutes to share with us about his faith and helped peeled back the layers surrounding the connection dynamic between pastors and business leaders.  How often do pastors strugle to connect with key business leaders in their congregation?  How often do business leaders struggle to reach out to their pastors?  It is very common and Ed responded with great insight.

And finally, I had the chance to ask Ed about what he would say to a young leader like myself.  "Ed, what kind of advice would you give to a 29 year old young leader who desires to grow and mature in the areas of leadership and influence?"  It would be worth your time to check back and watch the video offering a response directly from him, but part of his answer still lingers in my mind right now, "be available and open to the journey ahead."  Ed Bastian didn't plan to be the President of Delta.  In fact, when he graduated college, he had never stepped foot in an aiport!  Now he is the President of the largest airline provider in the world...Ed was strategic and made plans, but he did not force his life in any specific direction.  He was, and is, simply available.

More soon!

LV
on behalf of the Catalyst Road Trip Team