Dr. Lisa Hoover
Because Even With All the Systems, Sometimes the System Fails You
You ever feel like the technology that was supposed to make your life easier is the very thing slowing you down? Yeah. That was me this week.
I had everything in place: automation tools, a strong visual brand, a support team ready to run with the play. But guess what?
Tech tripped.
Logins didn’t work. Access wasn’t granted. Files weren’t showing up where they should. People didn’t know how to get into accounts they were supposed to manage. And I spent way too much of my time putting out fires I didn’t start.
Let’s be clear — this wasn’t about perfection. I don’t expect flawless execution 100% of the time. But what I do expect is:
- Communication
- Problem-solving energy
- Professionalism
- And most of all: their “supposed” expertise to kick in and move the train. Not me.
Because if I have to explain every step, what exactly am I outsourcing?
🔧 The Real Cost of Tech That Doesn’t Tech
This isn’t just about inconvenience.
- It costs energy.
- It costs focus.
- It costs revenue.
- It delays launches.
- And it chips away at trust
You can’t get in your zone of genius when you’re playing tech support. You can’t stay in strategy when you’re cleaning up someone else’s confusion. And you definitely can’t lead your audience when your backend is breaking down.
And yet… we show up anyway.
💬 So What Do You Do When It Happens?
Here’s what I had to remind myself:
- Pause. Don’t push through broken.
- Name it. Frustration is valid.
- Redirect. What can I complete?
- Document. This gets logged so it never gets repeated.
- Create a contingency lane. Have one go-to task, tool, or person that allows you to shift and still get momentum back — even if it’s not the original plan.
And most importantly: don’t let the tech tantrum become your story.
Because you are still the CEO. Even when the Wi-Fi won’t Wi-Fi.
🏁 My 2 Cents
Leadership includes the moments no one sees. The late-night fixes. The quiet pivots. The tabs open in the background while you’re still trying to hit your deadline.
So if you’re deep in the mess — tech, team, or timing falling short — here’s what I want you to know:
You’re not broken. You’re not behind. You’re not “too much.”
You are someone who’s holding multiple layers of vision, pressure, and expectation. And the reason it feels hard is because you’re carrying weight no one else can see — and still showing up with intention.
That’s not just resilience. That’s a blueprint in motion.
Want to know what tool setups are actually working for me (after all the mistakes)?
I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes wins and fails in the next roundtable. Stay tuned.
Until then — document, delegate, and give yourself grace.