Where does the name come from?

In the field of chemistry, a catalyst …

• is a substance that accelerates the rate (speed) of a chemical reaction without itself being transformed or consumed by the reaction.
• enables reactions to occur much faster or at lower temperatures because of changes that they induce in the reactants.
• provides an alternative pathway, with a lower activation energy, for a reaction to proceed. This means that catalysts reduce the amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction. Molecules that would not have had the energy to react or that have such low energies that they probably would have taken a long time to react are able to react in the presence of a catalyst. Thus, more molecules that need to gain less energy to react will go through the chemical reaction.

In the field of business consulting, a catalyst …

• is a person that accelerates the rate (speed) of a process or change without himself being exhausted
• enables change to occur much faster because of his assistance, presence and influence
• provides an alternative pathway, with a lower risk or emotional barriers, for a change to take place. This means that catalysts reduce the amount of effort needed to start a change. People that would not have had the energy to change or that have such low intrinsic motivation that they probably would have taken a long time to change are able to change in the presence of a catalyst. Thus, more people that need to gain less external support will go through the change.