Living Your Legacy: The Zelenskyy Method

Nothing speaks louder than a leader courageously leading his people during unprecedented times.?

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, faced more challenges in the first week of the war than most of us faced in a lifetime. He has been celebrated around the world for his approach to this global crisis. His legacy is already being defined.

Two questions immediately arise: How has he done it? And a question impossible to answer: How would we have responded if we were in his shoes?

To answer the second question, Champs, we don't have to look far. The fact is, for the past several years we've been faced with endless challenges, dramatic change, and fear of the unknown. In a sense, we're already in his shoes. Not on the scale of war, but facing challenges significant for us in our environments.

So, how have we responded to those challenges? What kind of leadership have we exhibited? Have we been courageous, transparent, and open? Have we faced the brutal facts about our situations and taken difficult steps forward?

The stakes are at an all-time high, whether we're keeping a small company afloat, managing a mega organization, or leading a country through war.

The hardest moments in these daunting events come at decision time. It would be nice if challenges were well defined and few in number so they don't overwhelm us. But they usually aren't.

It can be terrifying and beyond difficult when we as leaders need to do the right thing. In those moments more than ever, we as leaders depend on our team and inner circle.

It can be terrifying and beyond difficult when other people's livelihoods and lives hang in the balance. In those profound times, we need to step up, step in and lead the way.

In many cases, hesitating is not a real option. The magnitude of the consequences won't allow us to hesitate when endless threats and real danger loom over us.

One element of developing your legacy is being the kind of Thought Leader the world so desperately needs. Thought Leaders deliver authentic and genuine conversation and points of view based on their expertise, insight, and experience.

Thought Leaders are subject matter experts who transform thought, ideas, goals, or objectives into decisive action, regardless of the criticism they may face.

They often present strong and controversial opinions by taking an outspoken stand on a contentious issue.?And they often stand alone, supported by their conviction.

This is where Transformational Leadership kicks in! Transformational Leaders model the way, inspire a shared vision, and enable others to act, as authors Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner showed us in The Leadership Challenge. These leaders challenge the process or the situation they find themselves in while encouraging the hearts of others to connect and participate in a meaningful way.

And that creates a powerful, undeniable human-centric, heart-based connection with everyone around them.

Thought Leadership and Transformational Leadership require leaders to move from the inside out, consistently living their core values in service of others.

And now back to the first question. A former actor and comedian relatively new to politics has been celebrated for the way he has faced an epic challenge of global proportion. How has he done it? Here are several attributes that Zelenskyy exhibited in this time of war that we all can practice more of as follows: ?

Exemplary Action. He is modeling the way, leading from the front lines instead of the sidelines. He has taken ownership and has fully accepted his responsibility. He shows up every day not only on national and international media but in the community at train stations, hospitals, and schools.?

Effective Communication. He is highly visible to his governing inner circle, his nation, and the rest of the world. He models collaboration, inclusivity, and teamwork toward a common goal, inspiring a shared vision and enabling others to act. His calm demeanor and communication style infuse hope and faith in a better tomorrow.?

Profound Influence. His transparency and integrity, in addition to consistency in action and communication, make it impossible to ignore his leadership style. The pure human connection radiating from the heart is undeniable and impossible to contain or ignore.?By being his most courageous and authentic self, he has encouraged others to participate in a meaningful way.

Global Impact. He is infusing his extraordinary qualities and values into a crisis that is cascading into politics, business, technology, and most other sectors of global life. His approach is creating an opportunity to resolve some of the most complex issues in modern times while preserving his nation and its people and culture.??

When we show up as our most courageous and authentic selves daily, working in the best interest of people through Thought Leadership and Transformational Leadership, our legacy will emerge.?

Where did that come from? It came from the fortitude and courage he had to muster within himself. This is the starting point—for all of us—when the lives of our people and the success of our organizations are on the line.

We have to decide what kind of person—what kind of leader—we are going to be in challenging times, and recommit to that decision on a daily basis.

Do we have to decide what kind of person we have to be to lead our people to success? Have we exhibited leadership defined by high integrity, transparency, and open communication? Did we navigate those challenges in the supportive framework of a clear mission, vision, goals, objectives, and needs?

What is the legacy we will leave when we depart the stage?

We can use the Zelenskyy Method of leadership, inspired by his courage to do the right thing against impossible odds, placing our commitment to people at the core of everything we do.

The world needs exceptional humans demonstrating the thought leadership and transformational leadership required to impact the global community in a meaningful, positive way.?Ready to discover the best path forward for you and your organization? Schedule a?Complimentary Consultation?right here!

Champions, let's not wait until it's too late to improve our leadership or our legacy!

Live, lead, and leave your legacy today and every day!

??Izabela,?The World Messenger

Izabela Lundberg, The People Champion, is an Author,??Forbes?Contributor, TEDx & Keynote, Speaker,?Humanitarian,?Producer,??Podcaster?& Global Business Leader.

Izabela is solving the global" Great Resignation"?by creating a champion culture and thriving talent, teams, and organizations.

She partners with Corporate Executives to create champion high-performing teams, distinctive cultures, and legacy organizations.?

To discover more about how Izabela and her team can assist you and your organization, schedule a?Complimentary Consultation?NOW?at?Legacy Leaders Institute.