Leaning into Legacy - This Coach's Perspective

Legacy is a word that has been on my mind lately.?

I turned 70 this year. Honestly, I’ve had more than a few ‘Holy S**t’ moments.??

Moments of:

Fear and mortality.

Excitement and awe.

Reflection and questions.

Anticipation and gratitude“

How did I get here” and “Where did the time go?”

"What does any of this really mean??

Getting older has actually been a real gift. ?It’s meant looking back as well as looking forward.?

Creating a legacy and then building one takes intention, thoughtfulness and vision.?These are all strong leadership skills. ?

You don’t need to be close to 70 to start thinking about it.?

BIG PICTURE: Legacy is YOUR impact and lasting contribution to the?people in your world, or beyond.

• LEGACY encompasses a leader’s core values and beliefs that guide decision making and behavior.

• This is your footprint that you choose to leave for the next generation.

• For leaders…Creating a positive and enduring legacy is more than metrics.

It’s building a culture that endures and contributes to the long term success of the organization.?

Thinking beyond short term gains…focusing on long term vision is an investment into what your enduring impact can look like.???????????

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT: Legacy can be designed as a framework for guiding decision making.

• Mindfulness around long term impact, organizational and personnel values make decisions that both shape and build culture.

? ? ? ? ? ...This outlasts any one individual or leader and builds a lasting?and enduring impact.

• INTEGRITY…When leaders embody the values they profess. Trust and credibility rise. Legacy takes root.?

LEGACY begins with self-awareness, setting your Intention, and conscious action.?

DIGGING DEEPER:? Sorry to say, building your legacy has nothing to? ? ? ? ? ?do with what you do. Your title, your salary or even how smart you are.

• It has everything to do with who you are and how you show up. It has everything to do with people.

? ? People will remember: The time you spent with them… If you kept?your promises…How you made them feel.?

Lightbulb Moment?-?Perceived Self-Awareness vs External Perception.

• A client?said, "I'm not sure people interpret what I say with the intention in which?it is given." Meaning, I don't come across the way I think I do.

????… In that moment, this leader took a big step toward creating their?legacy.? ? ? ? ?

Dr.Tasha Eurich conducted?a 5 year study on self-awareness. ?Of the?5000 participants, 95% believed they were self-aware. In fact, only??10-15% were.? ?

• Dr Eurich noticed a striking pattern. People who were not self-aware always seemed to ask the question "Why?"

Starting your own legacy journey??Ask yourself, what is my impact on the people in my world? How am I really showing up for them, and myself??

Navigate your Impact:?In our MENTAL FITNESS coaching work,?Navigate is one of the five “Sage” powers. (along with Explore, Activate,?Innovate and Empathy)

• “Sage” refers to the wise, centered part of your mind. Shifting to? “Sage”? ? reduces fear based negative self -talk

• ? Connecting with an “older, wiser” version of yourself is a pillar of? ? Navigate.

You don’t have to be old…”Older Wiser Self”,?a state of mind that is more objective, wise. Less influenced by immediate emotional reactions.

• Connecting with your “OWS” will result in:?

?Cultivating a long term perspective…Step back. Consider your actions from your legacy journey.?

?Emotional Regulation…Handle conflict, stress, setbacks with resilience?

?Alignment?with Values…assess situations from the perspective of what is really important?

?Enhanced Leadership Presence…exude a sense of calm and confidence.?

A QUICK MEET & GREET: Your “OWS” lives right inside.???

Contemplate: "What is the legacy you'd like to leave behind?"??? ? ?

1. Close your eyes. Take three deep breaths.? ? ?

2. Imagine you are at an event in your honor. ?10 to 20 years from now.? ? ?

3. Everyone from all walks of your life will be there.? ? ?

4. What will people say about you? Privately and publicly. Contemplate that.? ? ?

5. Be brutally honest with yourself.?? ? ?

Where are the gaps between your own perception and that of others and?how does that shift how you would like to be remembered??

You've begun your legacy journey and shook hands with your “OWS"?

In his book EXPAND THE CIRCLE, my friend, Dr. Matt Poepsel shares an experience.?? ?

One morning a manager received a text member from a team member that?read? “Wanted to thank you for your thought leadership and pushing? our team to be our very best. I feel myself growing everyday under? your leadership”?

As a leader, how would you feel if you received that text? Energized, appreciative, connected. Even proud and warm.?

Matt received that text. I am not at all surprised. I know Matt’s legacy is the light he shines for others.?

As for my own legacy. I’ve been told that 70 is the new 55. Lots of time to keep getting acquainted with my “Older, Wiser Self” and providing tools for leaders to create their own legacy.??

To Be Continued?

Ron?