“The hustler survives chaos; the leader creates order.”
In a recent episode of the Cultureproof podcast, Tommy Mello shared a profound insight: “The hustler in him had to die in order for the leader to be born.” This resonated deeply with me because it reflects a journey I’ve personally deeply navigated – a journey from hustling to leading! If you haven’t caught the March release of the Cultureproof Podcast, You can listen to it here!
Early on in my leadership journey, I was deep in the hustle mentality. I vividly recall those tough years when every day was about grinding, saying “yes” to every opportunity that came our way. We hustled tirelessly, fought fires daily, hustled more, wearing multiple hats, and tackling any challenge head-on. It was a period fueled by sheer determination and grit, which was absolutely necessary to get the gears turning and establish our presence in the industry.
In the beginning, you have to hustle. There’s no other way around it. You’re bootstrapping, you’re building something from nothing, and every sale, every client, every opportunity is CRUCIAL. When Atlas was getting off the ground, I remember pulling 16 hour days like it was nothing. I was in the field working with crews, answering client calls and emails at all hours, putting together proposals, and doing whatever I could to keep the wheels turning.
I wasn’t just the visionary – I was the salesperson, the operations manager, the admin…
This hustle was necessary. It’s what got us in the door. Without it, there would be no business to grow. We had to do whatever it took, even if it meant sacrificing sleep, taking on more than one role, or saying yes to projects that didn’t feel like the perfect fit at the time. The hustle got us started.
But let’s take a moment to recognize what hustling truly looks like…
- Constantly Overworking: Working long hours, often to the detriment of personal time, health, and relationships.
- Wearing Multiple Hats: Juggling different roles – sales, marketing, operations, customer service, etc. – because you can’t really afford to delegate.
- Saying “Yes” to Everything: Accepting every opportunity, job, or client in order to build momentum, even if it means overextending yourself.
- Short-Term Focus: Prioritizing quick wins and immediate results, sometimes at the expense of long-term planning and sustainability.
- Lack of Delegation: Holding on to tasks because you feel like no one else can do them as well as you can!
- Burnout: Running on fumes due to constant effort, leading to physical and mental exhaustion.
- Reactive Decision-Making: Making decisions based on what’s urgent rather than what’s strategically important.
- Living in Chaos: A lack of structure and systems in place, resulting in a sense of constant scrambling to keep up.
- Feeling Like You’re “Always Busy”: Being constantly in motion but feeling like you’re not truly making meaningful progress.
- Focusing on Quantity Over Quality: Pushing through tasks and projects quickly, sometimes sacrificing the quality or effectiveness of your work.
This was the hustle that carried us through the early days. But, there comes a time when the hustler needs to step aside so the leader can take over!
“Hustle might spark the fire, but leadership keeps it burning.”
There came a pivotal moment when I realized that to truly grow and lead effectively, I needed to evolve beyond being just a hustler. It wasn’t about simply working harder or doing more; it was about strategically stepping into a leadership role that would guide us towards sustainable success.
Transitioning from hustler to leader wasn’t an overnight switch but a deliberate
transformation. It meant learning to prioritize, delegate, and empower others within
our team. I had to shift from being the “do-it-all entrepreneur” to a leader who could inspire and develop a team of hustlers. This shift wasn’t easy, and to be honest, I’m still learning something new every day – but it requires letting go of certain tasks and involvement, and embracing a broader vision for the future.
As we’ve grown, I’ve had to recognize that the hustle won’t get us where we want to go. We can only do that for so long and so effectively. Instead, what we need is leadership – visionary thinking, system building, and fostering a team that can thrive without me grinding day in and day out at the center of it all.
One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned is the importance of hiring and cultivating more hustlers within our organization. These individuals bring the same drive and determination that fueled our early days. But they focus that grind towards only a few things. And they do them well. By fueling their potential and providing them with opportunities to thrive, we’re not only strengthening our team but also ensuring sustainability and growth!
Recording that episode with Tommy Mello truly made me reflect on our journey. I see how crucial it is for every entrepreneur to recognize when the time comes to transition from hustler to leader. It’s about embodying a vision and steering the company toward long-term success. While the hustle will ALWAYS be part of our DNA, true leadership lies in guiding that energy toward strategic goals and sustainable growth. It does not give you an excuse to not work hard, but to be working hard on the right things.
Sometimes the hustler within us must retire to make way for the leader we’re meant to be. It’s a transformation that requires courage, vision, and a deep commitment to both personal growth and the growth of the team.
“At some point, grinding less and thinking more is how you win the long game.”