Host Suzanne Reed joins Hal Cato, the CEO of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, to share invaluable insights from his career journey spanning over four decades of community engagement, entrepreneurial spirit, and transformative leadership.
Elevating Through Servant Leadership
Hal’s journey began over 40 years ago with hands-on work in Nashville, where he first discovered that true success is found in elevating those around us. As he puts it,
“Success is not about winning for ourselves. It’s making sure others win too, even if we have to slow down every now and then and make sure that they have what they need.”
At the heart of his philosophy is a powerful metaphor: “The problem is too many people when they do get a little bit of a success, they forgot to send the elevator back down for the next person. And that’s what I want my legacy to be – keep sending the elevator back down again and again and again.” Too often, Cato notes, people achieve success and forget to help the next person up.
This approach challenges us to redefine success as a shared achievement rather than an individual accolade. This mindset is especially critical in nonprofit leadership, where impact is rooted in service and collaboration. Cato views the work of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee not just as an organization, but as a vehicle for building deeper relationships and advancing equity.
Additionally, Cato underscores the importance of community identity by asking, “I want the most important word in our name to be ‘community’ rather than ‘foundation’, and how do we live that every single day?” This emphasis on people over structures is a core part of Cato’s leadership legacy—centering community and servant leadership in everything he does.
Embracing True Vocation
Cato believes that our most powerful work comes not from external validation, but from aligning with our inner calling. His own journey into nonprofit leadership was shaped by a deep desire to connect purpose with profession.
“You find your true vocation when you live from the inside out, and I wish that I had learned that lesson early on,” he shares.
He further differentiates between mere work and calling by stating, “We don’t talk about vocation nearly enough and we need to. It’s the difference between occupation and vocation.”
That distinction has guided Cato as he moved between the worlds of nonprofit leadership, social entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. This reflection reminds us to pursue paths that resonate with our authentic selves, ensuring that our professional lives are driven by passion rather than obligation.
Creating Impact Through Collective Action
Cato champions the power of collaboration in tackling community challenges. “My favorite question that I ask in every room I enter is, ‘What can we do together that none of us can do on our own?’” This question isn’t just rhetorical—it’s a call to action. In an era where challenges are increasingly complex, Cato believes siloed solutions simply won’t cut it.
“The golden triangle of collaboration is trust, humility, and shared vision – if you pull one out, it falls apart.” Cato’s golden triangle emphasizes championing collaboration, a core part of his success as a leader.
Cato is clear that unity is essential: “For me, what I want, community foundation, my legacy, to be known as we were not afraid to take on the hard topics in this town, but we were really good at bringing people together to solve them as a collective. We can’t do it on our own. None of us can.”
He warns of the consequences of inaction: “We have the data. We know what the problems are, and they’re not going away, and they’re only going to get worse. The longer we keep trying to fix them in silos or kick the can down the road, the worse it becomes.”
Finally, reflecting on his current role, he shares,
“I’m being honest and [the Community Foundation] is an amazing platform to do it on. For me, what I want my legacy to be known as is that we were not afraid to take on the hard topics in this town.”
Hal Cato’s leadership philosophy is a testament to the power of servant leadership, genuine vocation, and the strength of collective action. His commitment to ensuring that others win, living authentically, and uniting communities sets a clear roadmap for those seeking to make a lasting impact.
This episode’s conversation with Hal Cato is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t just about achieving personal goals—it’s about empowering communities to thrive together. His legacy challenges us to lead with empathy, purpose, and the steadfast belief that, together, we can overcome even the toughest challenges.
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