If You Want to be a Legacy Leader, You Must Live a Legacy Life!

Whenever I say Legacy Life, most people think about old age or a religious experience. That’s not what I mean. Even though those circumstances aren’t excluded, that’s still not what I mean. When I talk about a Legacy Life, I’m talking about a principles based life. I’m talking about intentionally conducting oneself in a way that is thoughtful and considers the consequences of actions. People who live a Legacy Life understand that every action taken can either be productive or unproductive and that some of the unproductive actions might also be destructive. Living a Legacy Life requires that we maximize our productive behavior, greatly reduce our unproductive behaviors, and eliminate our destructive behaviors. How we do this is the key!

Do we have to think about absolutely every action before we execute that action? The answer to that question is, it depends. Acting without thinking requires relying on habits. If you have habits that support productive outcomes, actions without conscious review of consequences might work out. If your habitual behaviors are unproductive or even destructive, eliminating actions without conscious review of outcomes must be eliminated. Converting your behaviors from non-productive and destructive habits to deliberate, thoughtful, constructive behaviors and habits is hard work and requires intentionality. Left on our own, most of us will have difficulty making the necessary behavioral modifications. Most of us will falter and fail without help.

The American way is supposed to be that of rugged individualism. So why can’t we do it by ourselves. The answer is quite simple. Rugged individualism worked okay when our world was not full of convenient distractions. Notice, I didn’t say it worked well, I said it worked okay! So for something that was just an okay strategy, when you use that strategy in the face of fast food and today’s technological distractions, it’s a miracle that anyone develops positive, productive, affirming behaviors by themselves. If you really want to become a Legacy Leader you can increase your chances immensely by enlisting the help of others. If you must live a Legacy Life, enlist the help of someone who can really help. You need someone who will help you figure out what principles and values all your actions should be measured against. You need someone who will hold you accountable for what you say you are going to do. You need someone who will help you think through new strategies and tactics in relationship to the expectation that they can help you grow in ways that move you closer to that Legacy Life.

Where do you find someone who can help? Will it cost you an arm and a leg? What are your options? Fortunately, there are some very inexpensive options that have proven to be very effective. One of the best is to be part of a Facilitated Professional Learning Community. This is a group of like minded people who are all working towards living a Legacy Life and becoming a Legacy Leader and is facilitated by an individual who is willing to keep the group on task. These groups are generally 10 to 15 people, who meet virtually, with a professional facilitator. The cost is usually $100 per person per session and the groups usually meet once a month. Many participants continue to meet with their group for 2 or more years as they find the advice and accountability aspects of the group are worth way more than they pay. If you’d like to try one of these groups but aren’t sure how to do it, contact me and I’ll help find one or start one. Send an inquiry email to jaynewman@culturebychouce.com and I’ll help.

No matter what you decide to do, one thing is certain; you must be a leader in your own life before you can effectively lead others. Living your life based on values and principles is a precursor to leading an organization based on values and principles. If you’d like to be part of a Facilitated Professional Learning Community, let me know. I’d be happy to get you connected to one or help you start one.