Why partner with us?
Most leadership programs focus on what leaders should do—but few are grounded in why these strategies work. At Catalyst Development, we don’t rely on buzzwords or generic leadership advice. We apply proven research to create workplace cultures where employees are not only productive but also deeply engaged and loyal.
Our Core Values
Empowerment
We believe leadership is about equipping others with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to succeed. We empower leaders and organizations to take ownership of their growth, make meaningful changes, and build high-performing cultures.
Authenticity
True leadership starts with owning your story. We foster workplaces where people can show up as their real, imperfect, and evolving selves, creating cultures built on trust, transparency, and
shared purpose.
Transformation
Change isn’t just necessary—it’s an opportunity. We challenge individuals and organizations to think differently, lead boldly, and take actionable steps toward creating thriving, engaged teams.
Collaboration
Great leaders don’t work in silos. We partner with organizations and leaders to break down barriers, encourage teamwork, and foster a sense of shared success—because real impact happens together.
Belonging
A strong culture starts with making people feel valued. We help leaders create environments where employees are seen, heard, and appreciated, leading to loyal teams, less burnout, and better results.
Dr. Katie Ervin
Founder & CEO
Genius: Galvanizing, Discernment
Katie Ervin is a vision-driven, goal-focused leader with a proven history of innovation and achievement. Throughout her career, she has established a reputation as a leadership expert and a transformational leader who is driven by challenge, undeterred by obstacles, and committed to furthering standards of excellence. Efficiency, project management, and organizational change while building trust throughout an organization is a strength.
Her expertise encompasses all aspects of organizational administration and operations, from controlling costs and maximizing results to harnessing team strengths to improve overall performance. Further, her ability to build consensus among executive teams and stakeholders to promote transparency and influence positive change has been repeatedly proven. Throughout her career she has been successful in breaking down silos and assisting all in understanding the overarching needs of the organization.
She is an enthusiastic mentor, coach and team member. She believes in lifelong learning and assisting people to continue their growth. She enjoys sharing her expertise and working with organizations to foster a positive culture utilizing self-determination theory. She believes it is critical for organizations to build employee loyalty and focus on organizational happiness.
The Catalyst Workplace Model
Dr. Katie Ervin developed the Catalyst Workplace Model to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world workplace challenges. Rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT)—a groundbreaking framework introduced by psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan in 1985—this model provides a clear, actionable approach to building engaged, motivated, and high-performing teams.
While SDT has long been recognized for its impact on motivation, it lacked a structured workplace application. Through her extensive research, Dr. Katie identified how relatedness, competence, and autonomy—the three core pillars of SDT—are critical for employee motivation, satisfaction, and retention.
The Three Psychological Needs That Drive Workplace Success
For organizations to thrive, leaders must recognize and actively support the basic psychological needs of their employees:
Relatedness – Employees need to feel a sense of connection and belonging within their team and organization. Strong workplace relationships foster loyalty, collaboration, and engagement.
Competence – Employees need to feel capable and confident in their roles. When organizations provide the right training, resources, and feedback, employees feel empowered to succeed.
Autonomy – Employees need trust and ownership over their work. Micromanagement kills motivation, while giving employees control over their tasks and decisions leads to innovation and higher job satisfaction.
The Bottom Line? Research-Driven Leadership Works.
Too many organizations struggle with burnout, disengagement, and high turnover because they fail to meet these fundamental psychological needs. The Catalyst Workplace Model gives leaders a proven, research-backed roadmap to creating an environment where employees are not just showing up for a paycheck—they’re thriving, motivated, and committed to your organization’s success.
Are you ready to build a workplace where employees WANT to stay and perform at their best?
The Working Genius
Most workplace assessments focus on personality or behavior—but The Working Genius has a different approach. Created by Patrick Lencioni, this powerful model doesn’t just reveal who you are—it helps you understand how you work best and where you naturally thrive in the process of getting things done.
As a Working Genius Certified Facilitator, Dr. Katie Ervin helps leaders and teams leverage this tool to maximize productivity, collaboration, and job satisfaction.
Why The Working Genius Matters
Every successful project, initiative, or organization follows a cycle of work—and not everyone is wired to contribute in the same way. When leaders and teams understand their unique Working Genius types, they can:
- Boost leadership effectiveness – Identify strengths and blind spots to become a more efficient and inspiring leader.
- Enhance job alignment – Ensure individuals are in roles that match their natural talents, increasing engagement and fulfillment.
- Improve team cohesion – Help teams work better together by reducing frustration, misalignment, and burnout.
- Create a common language – Foster clarity and accountability by aligning work with individual strengths.
- Increase efficiency – Move through the stages of work more effectively, ensuring projects are completed with less friction and more momentum.
The Working Genius isn’t just another assessment—it’s a game-changer for unlocking higher performance, job satisfaction, and long-term success.