We’ve all heard the cliché a million times now: “Work smarter, not harder.” and I get the intention. However, I had a bit of an epiphany last night while trying to ignore the exhaustion while paddling: maybe we’ve got the order wrong.
Right now, I’m learning how to outrigger canoe (and getting my ass handed to me). My form? Mostly non-existant. My timing? Debatable. But I show up, I hustle to load the boats, I help clean up afterward, and during the practice itself… I’m paddling until my heart feels like it's going to explode (probably because I'm doing it wrong).
While my mind was wondering to get through the pain, I got thinking about how I’ve been that person in every job I’ve ever had.
Maybe I didn’t have the knowledge, or the experience, but showed up early, stayed late, and gave it my all.
And over the years, I’ve found myself drawn to those same kinds of people when I’ve been in a position to hire. The ones who are still figuring things out, but aren’t afraid to put in the work and ask for help. They might not be polished, but they care, and that effort goes a long way.
Eventually, the technique catches up.
The effort? That’s the thing that keeps you in the game long enough to learn.
You Don't Have To Be Great, But You Have To Care
You won't be the best at something from day one, but you can be the person who’s putting in the work while you figure it out.
When you’re on a team (whether that’s in a boat, a startup, or a company of 10,000) it’s hard to be frustrated with someone who’s giving it everything they’ve got, even if they aren't great at what they do (yet).
This Is Not a Burnout Manifesto
Let’s be clear: this is not a rallying cry to burn yourself out, or to justify leaders expecting people to give more than they reasonably can.
As leaders, our responsibility is to build sustainable environments where effort is recognized, but health is protected. Where people can give their best without sacrificing their well-being.
As employees, our job is to find that balance too. Work hard, yes, but make space to rest, recover, and protect your mental and physical health along the way.
Working hard doesn’t mean working endlessly. It means showing up, being engaged, and pushing through some discomfort, not disregarding your limits, or personal values.
For Leaders: Effort Is a Signal
If you lead people, here’s your job: Don’t miss the folks who are still ramping up but already giving it their all.
They’re not always the loudest, they don't have all the answers yet, but they are engaged, helpful, and hungry to learn. That effort is gold.
So instead of nitpicking the form, coach it. Instead of waiting for perfection, celebrate progress. Support them now, and in a few months, they’ll be mentoring and setting the example for the next person. Recognize their effort, and make sure they have all the tools, space, and feedback they need and don't burn out.
That’s how you build your next all-star. That’s how you keep good people. That’s how you build culture.
Sure, work smarter, but before you can do that work harder.
That’s how you earn the space to grow.