Everything in Leadership is Not Hard

I recently came across an article that boldly declared, “Everything in Leadership is Hard.” The post went on to list various struggles that managers face: giving negative feedback, course correction, and the like. While I understand the challenges of leadership, I can't help but disagree with the blanket statement.

Managing vs. Leading: A Clear Distinction

First off, let’s make an important distinction: managing is not the same as leading.

You can manage a project, a construction site, or a problem. But when we talk about leadership, it’s always about people. Leadership is about guiding, inspiring, and empowering individuals to reach their potential. Good leaders excel at leading people—though that doesn’t always make them great managers. In fact, one could argue that it's better to follow a great leader than a manager who’s solely focused on directing tasks.

Dorie Clark touched on this in an insightful interview with the author of Leading from the Edge. She highlights that great leaders often make bad managers because their strength lies in vision and inspiration, not in micromanaging every detail. Read the full article here.

Not Everything About Leadership is Hard

Let’s be real—not everything about leadership is hard.

If you believe that leading and managing is an uphill battle all the time, then either you’re in the wrong role or you’re approaching it the wrong way. Yes, difficult conversations can be uncomfortable, but that’s part of the job. If you're avoiding these conversations, then perhaps management isn't the right fit for you.

But here’s the flip side—there is so much rewarding, fulfilling work that comes with leadership. As a leader, you get to create a vision, plan for the future, and watch others grow and succeed. Those moments of success, when your team thrives, are far from “hard.” They’re the highlights that make leadership so fulfilling.

Leading People is a Privilege

Leading people is not only a responsibility—it’s a privilege. And managing them? That’s a privilege too.

This is at the core of servant leadership: You’re there to serve and empower the team you work with. Yes, you work for them. When your team succeeds, so do you. Building trust, giving and receiving feedback, challenging ideas, and celebrating wins are what create genuine, strong relationships.

When things get tough, here are a few guiding principles to keep in mind:

• Don’t assume intent – Always give the benefit of the doubt.

• Create distance between the situation and your emotions – Approach tough conversations with a level head.

• Be clear – Communication is key, especially in leadership.

What Have You Enjoyed About Leadership?

Leadership isn’t about making everything “easy”—it’s about navigating challenges with a clear vision, guiding your team through uncertainty, and celebrating those wins together. And while some parts of leadership can be tough, it’s the privilege of helping others succeed that makes it truly rewarding.

What have you enjoyed the most about being a leader or manager?