Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell, a junior, juggles several different orbs that represent different aspects of her life. Throughout her life, Harwell’s parents encouraged her by repeating the phrase, “Leon can’t do everything,” and as she stepped into her new role as Editor-in-Chief, it has become her mantra. “Now that I am in charge of a whole staff of people, I have had to learn how to delegate tasks and take a step back. Instead of trying to fix everything and do all of the work myself, I’ve learned that it is more important to ask for help. I can’t do everything,” Harwell wrote. Illustration by Eleanor Robinson
Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell shares her family’s personal motto and how it has shaped her as a leader.
In my household, we have a saying. It’s not, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It’s, “Leon can’t do everything.”
In the early 2000s, a national beverage corporation released a series of commercials featuring an egocentric football player named Leon.
In one particular commercial, Leon is interviewed after losing the big game.
“I’ve gotta put the loss squarely on the shoulders of my supporting cast,” Leon said. “I’ve been carrying
these guys the whole season, but I can’t do it all.”
“So, your four fumbles weren’t a factor in your mind,” the reporter asked.
“Not if one of those other guys would’ve jumped on the ball. Again, Leon can’t do everything,” Leon said, breaking the fourth wall.
Instead of trying to fix everything and do all of the work myself, I’ve learned that it is more important to ask for help. I can’t do everything. I used to think that being a good leader meant that I had to do everything myself. Now, I understand that that isn’t true.
For as long as I can remember, my parents have quoted that commercial, simply saying, “Leon can’t do everything.”
In elementary school when I wanted to sign up for too many after-school activities, my mom would say, “Leon can’t do everything.”
In middle school when I would get so worked up over schoolwork or disappointed that I couldn’t go to a certain event, my dad would always reply, “Leon can’t do everything.”
Up until recently, I ignored the expression, rolling my eyes every time they brought it up. I know I can’t do everything. They don’t understand.
Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell is shown participating in various ODYSSEY Media Group events from 2021-2022. Ever since she was young, Harwell’s parents used the phrase, “Leon can’t do everything” to motivate her, which carried over into her role as Editor-in-Chief. “Now that I am in charge of a whole staff of people, I have had to learn how to delegate tasks and take a step back,” Harwell wrote. “Instead of trying to fix everything and do all of the work myself, I’ve learned that it is more important to ask for help. I can’t do everything.” Photos courtesy of ODYSSEY Media Group archives and Chloe Sears
Now, as a junior and the Editor-in-Chief of the ODYSSEY Media Group, it means so much more.
Coming into this position has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my high school career.
All of a sudden, I am the one who represents the program to the school and community, puts together the magazine, guides staffers and oversees all aspects of our Production class. It’s a lot to handle.
My semester has been filled with self-doubt and comparison.
What does it mean to be a leader? How am I supposed to do this? What if I fail?
In the back of my head, I have always remembered the phrase, repeating it to myself whenever needed. Over the past few months, however, it has shifted slightly.
I’ve had to learn a hard lesson: Leon actually can’t do everything. I can’t do everything.
Though it may seem like a silly catchphrase from a commercial, it has become so much more to me. As I have moved through life and leadership positions, “Leon can’t do everything” has become my mantra.
Now that I am in charge of a whole staff of people, I have had to learn how to delegate tasks and take a step back.
Instead of trying to fix everything and do all of the work myself, I’ve learned that it is more important to ask for help. I can’t do everything. I used to think that being a good leader meant that I had to do everything myself. Now, I understand that that isn’t true.
A good leader listens to their constituents and graciously accepts the support of others. A good leader can’t do it on their own. I can’t do everything.
Though it may seem like a silly catchphrase from a commercial, it has become so much more to me. As I have moved through life and leadership positions, “Leon can’t do everything” has become my mantra.
Understanding this has helped me become a better leader, a better student and a better friend. I know now that Leon can’t do everything and neither can I.
