Dustin Harden became a technology director at just 26 years old.

He knew technology, had strong opinions, and, by his own admission, thought he could solve just about anything himself.

Today, as CTO of Clear Creek ISD in Texas, his approach to leadership looks very different.

In this episode of Strategic Syncing, Dustin joins James Symons for a candid conversation about growing from the young leader who wanted to be the smartest person in the room into a CTO who increasingly measures success by the people and leaders he develops around him.

They also explore one of the unusual realities of leading technology in a highly technical community. Clear Creek ISD sits in the heart of the NASA community, and some of its students are smart enough to collaborate across campuses to find ways around the district's internet filters.

Rather than seeing those students only as a problem, Dustin sees potential. Some students who have challenged the district's technology have eventually been guided toward technology programs, internships, and even employment.

Dustin also shares one of the more confronting moments in his recent leadership journey: the day his leadership team sat him down and told him they were tired.

His enthusiasm for innovation had created a constant stream of new initiatives, while the technical work required to support them continued to grow. Listening to his team meant accepting that sometimes good leadership means slowing down.

The conversation also looks at the realities of leading technology in a district facing declining enrolment and tighter budgets, what EdTech vendors need to understand about working with schools, and why technology leaders across Texas openly share ideas, challenges, and solutions with each other.

Ultimately, this episode is about leadership growth: trusting your team, becoming comfortable with being challenged, holding strong opinions lightly, and learning that the loudest person in the room doesn't always have the best answer.