Each life a legacy - lead on purpose! Idea-rich strategies for 'serious' leaders

"Our life and work are a portrait of who we are - autograph them both with style!" Anonymous

The tapestry of our lives is inter-woven with the lives and enriched with the ideas of those we connect with daily. Whether we realize it or not, our life leaves a legacy. The stories of our leadership, and activities become a living legend.

"People will talk about you - why not give them something positive to say?" Bob Hooey

People we know, work, or live with, have a lasting impression based on their personal experience with us. Why is it then that we wait until they are gone or have moved on to acknowledge the important people in our life? Life is a continuous choice... choose wisely!

I have lived in the country north-east of Edmonton, Alberta for 23 years now. It is a quiet, rustic, creative type of life; a place for me to write and prepare as I still travel to present around the world. Driving the rural roads, I see dilapidated, boarded-up buildings, vacant stores, gas stations, and shops that once housed thriving businesses, stores, entrepreneurial dreams that profitably served their communities and customers. I wonder, what happened?

• Did the business thrive and move to a better location? Did they neglect their clients? Did the market leave them behind?

• Did it miss the changes in client needs and slowly die?

• Did their competition do a better job?

• Did they fall behind in technology? Service? Products?

• Did their clients desert them? What makes the difference?

I see thriving, prosperous businesses, in attractive, well-lit buildings; well-stocked and open for business to profitably serve both their clients and their communities.

What legacy is being told of you and your team every day?

When you're done, what leadership legacy would you like to leave behind? What are they saying about you right now? What picture would you like your team, your clients, and the community to see and remember about your contributions and work?

What would be the ultimate comment or testimonial on your life and contributions in pioneering and living life as an adventure?

Why not leave a lasting legacy; a history of strong dynamic leadership that has contributed in a positive way? A legacy of leadership that has engaged, inspired, challenged, and cared for the many you led.

Once we understand that we do leave a legacy of leadership behind, we can make a conscious choice to ensure it is a positive one. We can choose to invest our time, resources, and energies in those activities and organizations that create lasting value; as well as in the lives of those we love and respect.

As 'serious' leaders we have that opportunity to invest in the lives and success of those we lead. This investment can leave a lasting legacy in their lives and the lives of those they touch.