We live in an era of “work smarter, not harder.” And I agree with the sentiment. I don’t want to confuse motion with progress or spend energy on tasks that don’t matter. Productivity and focus are essential.
But here’s the truth: sometimes leadership just takes hard work.
My Reality Right Now
We just wrapped up a cybersecurity filing window — a unique opportunity for schools and libraries to strengthen their network security. At the same time, we’re staring down an E-rate administrative deadline at the end of this month. That’s also when we’ll release our annual E-rate Trends Report and launch the newest version of E-rate Manager.
Layer on top of that: board responsibilities, a “robust” travel schedule, and a personal life full of people and relationships that matter deeply to me.
And after three decades of professional experience, there are moments when I catch myself thinking: Why am I working so hard right now?
The Hardest Work of Leadership
For me, the hardest work isn’t just the hours or the deadlines. It’s the discipline of not taking everything on myself. It’s slowing down enough to equip the team, to trust others with the responsibility, to coach rather than carry.
Delegating well, staying patient, and keeping people aligned — that’s work. Hard work.
And the truth is, if you’re feeling stretched and asking why it’s so demanding, it’s probably because the work in front of you is significant. It matters.
Let’s Not Sugarcoat It
Leadership isn’t easy. It never has been. The weight of responsibility, the people depending on you, the stakes involved — those things will always require effort. Sometimes extraordinary effort.
Yes, let’s be smart, efficient, and strategic. But let’s also be honest: leadership takes hard work.
If you’re tired, you’re not alone. If you’re asking why is this so hard? the answer may simply be: because it matters.
