There’s a quiet myth hiding in many organizations. It’s rarely spoken outright, but you can feel it everywhere:
💭 “Only some of this work really matters.”
Usually, it’s the visible stuff that gets counted—outputs, deliverables, demos, code shipped, sales closed.
The rest? Planning. Documentation. Reporting. Reflecting. Emotional labor.
That’s seen as “extra,” “admin,” or “a distraction.”
And when leaders buy into that belief—even unintentionally—it starts to erode everything underneath.
🎙️ In this week’s episode of Leadership Explored, we dive into a truth that every leader needs to hear:
👉 It’s all the work.
Whether you’re coding or documenting, planning or presenting, mentoring or holding emotional space in a tough meeting—if it moves the team forward, it counts. And if leaders only show up for the glamorous parts? The glue holding the team together begins to fall apart.
Here’s what we unpack in Episode 12:
🧠 Why we glorify “output” while ignoring the invisible effort behind it
🧱 How invisible work like documentation, mentoring, and alignment prevent burnout and failure
🪞 How leaders unintentionally model a culture of neglect by skipping “boring” tasks
🎻 Metaphors from music and sports that reveal why prep and practice matter as much as performance
⚒️ What professionalism really looks like—and why it’s not about loving every task
🚩 What to watch for when your team starts devaluing support work
✅ Simple mindset shifts to reframe invisible work as craft and leadership
Quote We Keep Coming Back To:
“You don’t rise to the level of your favorite tasks. You rise to the level of how you show up for everything.”
Try this:
If you find yourself resisting a task—ask why.
Is it draining? Is it unclear? Does it feel pointless?
Then ask: What if this work is part of what makes everything else possible?
🎧 Episode 12: It’s All the Work is out Tuesday, August 26
Listen on leadershipexploredpod.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
🧭 Whether you’re leading a team or trying to be a better teammate, this one’s for anyone who wants to build a stronger, more sustainable culture—onstage and behind the scenes.
Let us know what resonates—or what you’re still struggling with—by replying here or emailing us at LeadershipExplored@gmail.com.
Until next time,
– Leadership Explored