Catalyst Atlanta Speaker Spotlight // Cole NeSmith

We are so excited about Catalyst Atlanta 2012. If you haven't entered for a chance to win new Nike kicks or a dream vacation do so NOW! You also get 30+ songs as a FREE download gift from us & a few of our favorite musical artist friends.

Continuing through to October we will be featuring a different speaker answering some questions about the MAKING of a leader. We are really pumped for YOU to get to know these leaders on a deeper level & have them answer some tough [and some fun] questions about leadership. We had such a great response from our speakers we are excited to be able to share two speaker spotlights with you each week, on Tuesday & Thursday.

Cole NeSmith is from Orlando, FL where he has served on staff as part of the Status Church community for the last 6 years. In addition to now serving as the church's pastor, Cole has also served as the Creative Director since 2005. During that time, he developed a passion to see people engage with God through experience. Moving beyond presentational elements like music, video and teaching, he sought to develop ways the church could engage in worship with their whole heart, mind, soul and body. In 2008, Cole launched Uncover The Color to further develop the philosophy and practice of experiential worship. Through interactive art installations, tactile metaphors and reflective experiences, Uncover the Color seeks to connect people to God and to one another both inside and outside the Church. Uncover the Color has partnered with Catalyst to create Reflective Worship spaces. Cole also partners with other conferences, events and organizations to create unique, interactive experiences. Uncover The Color artists are currently working on an interactive sculpture called the Tree of Light to serve as the visual center piece for ArtsFest in Orlando, FL during the month of February 2012. And they will launch their first interactive theatrical experience during the Orlando International Fringe Festival in May. Cole has written about creativity, art, leadership and faith for Relevant Magazine, Neue Magazine, Catalyst, UncoverTheColor.com and ColeNeSmith.com among other publications. He writes and plays music and is the primary communicator at his church in Orlando.

1. Who is someone that inspires you today to be a better leader?"
I think my inspiration to be a better leader comes - not necessarily from other leaders - but from those I've been given the opportunity to lead. I'm grateful to have been entrusted with leading City Beautiful Church in Orlando. My love and care for them is the reason I've even stepped into leadership.

2. Looking back at the past 10 years what are some of your biggest mistakes that you learned from that you would share with others to not repeat the same thing?
Trying to carry things that are God's to carry. Stepping outside our human capacity into the things God has called us to gives us two options ; Try to accomplish those things by our own effort or surrender to Him the things that only He can do. The former is deadly. The later is freeing. Sacrificing relationships on the altar of productivity, being known or even "doing what I love." At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if we're accomplishing any of these things if we don't have deep, meaningful relationships with people we love. Having these types of relationships often require saying "no" to things that will advance even an altruistic agenda.

3. What is one mistake you witness leaders making more frequently than others? What are the steps to avoid this mistake?
Leveraging people to accomplish their own agenda. We can avoid this by understanding that we, as leaders, are meant to empower others to live into God's purposes for their lives.

4. How would you describe yourself as a leader?
I would describe myself as an artistic leader : One that sees things that are waiting to be revealed and helps shepherd people into bringing them into existence.

5. What are 3-4 keys in the "Making" of a Leader? As you look at the process for yourself of how you've been made into the leader you are now, what stands out?

• Step into things that are beyond my capacity.
• Take risks, recognizing that success is not based on outcome but on whether or not I've been obedient to God's leadership.
• Enjoying the people I'm leading alongside is crucial.

6. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I think I always wanted to be a musician.

7. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Walt Disney. He was the epitome of someone who knew how to create an experience. I value his attention to detail, commitment to excellence, love of community and vision for the future.

BONUS- if you had to be a superhero or famous cartoon character, who would you be?
I don't know if Legolas is either of those things, but I'd be him. Lighthearted in the face of an immense task, agile and an ace with a bow and arrow.