Hi, I'm Hayley Boling, Chief Executive Officer, at Boling Vision Center, a third generation family-owned ophthalmology practice located in the heart of Notre Dame country. When I first stepped into the administrator role in my 20s, I was a millennial leading a multi-generational legacy organization.

Some people certainly doubted me while others even hoped that I would fail. A few even whispered that I had just gotten lucky. I didn't take it personally though; I took it as motivation. And I didn't waste energy trying to prove them wrong; I focused on proving what I saw in myself right because over time, I learned that what some called luck was really leadership in action. So every doubt became fuel, every challenge became an opportunity to grow into the leader that I knew I could be and the leader I needed to be for my practice and for the people I had the honor and privilege to lead.

Modernizing a 50-year-old legacy practice wasn't easy at the time—leading through change rarely is. There were days when imposter syndrome and self-doubt tried to sneak in but I never let them win. My mom used to say something that has stuck with me ever since my days as a young student athlete. She'd say: “Haley always remember: hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.” Those words became my compass through competition, through challenges, and through every chapter of my career thus far and they ultimately led me to a mantra that I still live by to this day—nobody will outwork me.

I've always believed in coupling every gift I have with intentionality, focus, and grit because talent may open the door but hard work keeps it open. So especially when I'm not the smartest, the most talented or the most experienced person in the room, nobody and I mean nobody will outwork me. And that mindset has carried me through every challenge and opportunity since, allowing me to step fully into my light as a leader that I was always meant to be. So I work hard, I work smart, and I work with passion, perseverance, and positivity always. That commitment and the light has helped me cultivate along the way, has allowed me to shine in my purpose and lead with authenticity, confidence, and heart and now I encourage you to shine bright in your purpose too because it's hard to make a big impact when you play small. So don't. Don’t let anyone dull your light, define your limits or write your story for you.

Rise above the noise of naysayers and negativity. Never stop showing up as the best version of yourself with grit in your heart and light in your soul and keep doing the work with courage, compassion, and conviction because you were given that light for a reason—to illuminate, to inspire, and to be the spark that someone else may need to begin their journey. So believe in yourself too much to fail, turn every challenge into a chance to learn and to lead, and keep shining because when the world sees your authentic light, they're going to realize it was never luck—it was leadership. Thank you.

Transcript edited for clarity. 

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