LEADERSHIP ISN’T ABOUT BEING IN CHARGE – IT’S ABOUT MAKING SPACE BY CATHERINE HOVER, FOUNDER OF PALETTE COMMUNITY

When people ask me what I do, I tell them: I share the stage and hand out megaphones.

That’s my definition of leadership.

It’s not about being the one in charge. It’s about being the one who makes space — for ideas, for courage, for people who are ready to rise but don’t yet see themselves as leaders.

At Palette, I’ve watched hundreds of women walk through our doors whispering their dreams like they’re afraid someone might overhear. Fast forward a few months — the same women are hosting events, launching companies, or suddenly wearing blazers with shoulder pads because they finally believe they’re CEOs.

Did I give them that success? No.

I simply handed them a microphone and said, “Go ahead. We’re listening.”

There is no greater high than watching someone light up because you believed in them before they believed in themselves. That, to me, is leadership.

And I’ve learned — when you build community with purpose, support finds you too.

One of our earliest Shero Fund supporters was Dr. Manuel Astruc — long before we officially worked together. He believed in the mission of helping women rise, and now I have the opportunity to collaborate with him more directly to expand that same impact beyond entrepreneurship and into mental health.

Different industries, same mission: help more people help more people.

So when we talk about community, let’s make something clear: it’s not brunches and business cards.

And when we talk about legacy, it’s not plaques and building names.

Community is who you rise with.
Legacy is who rises because of you.

My hope is that we all walk through the world with notebooks, not just networks. Write down the names. Remember who needs a connection, who deserves encouragement, who’s too good to be sitting quietly in the background.

Because leadership — in business and in life — isn’t about being the star of the show.

It’s about being the spotlight operator.

And there’s plenty of light to go around.

STAY CONNECTED

• Instagram: @catherinehover
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catherinehover
• Email: [email protected]
• Palettecommunity.com