The Legacy Leadership Wheel

In our daily roles, particularly as leaders, every interaction presents a significant opportunity to shape the community and individuals around us. I have a foundational belief, a presupposition even, that is powerful and yet simple: "We will leave a legacy with every person whom we encounter at every encounter."

In this edition of Braving Life, I want to reiterate a few points from one of my most recent keynote conversations while exploring strategies to enhance your connections, build trust and intentional impressions, and effectively motivate those we lead and love.

Everyone deserves a great leader. Everyone deserves a great person, and I hope you have had an opportunity to experience their efficacy in your life. I have been blessed to have several mentors and caring individuals who have molded and guided my work and life. Their effective leadership was multifaceted. When aggregated and distilled, I discovered a robust blend of distinct and complementary traits. 

Before we go any further, pause for a moment and consider the leaders who have profoundly impacted you. What connected you to them? What made them so inspirational? Was it their unwavering presence, their empathetic listening, or their courageous decision-making?

Here is what I noticed. Let me know if these align and resonate with the leaders you have in mind: 

• Presence: They have the ability to be fully engaged at the moment, not just physically, but with attentive awareness of the needs and emotions of others.
• Empathy: They notice, understand, and share the feelings of others-building trust and fostering deeper relationships.
• Courage: They face challenges head-on and make the tough decisions when necessary-even in the face of adversity.
• Vulnerability: They are able to show their true self, including weaknesses. They are human leaders.
• Steadiness: They maintain a signature about themselves and a balanced demeanor, especially under pressure, and provide reassurance and stability to the team.
• Introspection: They reflect regularly on their behavior and beliefs. They understood the need for continual personal growth and development
• Authenticity: They live according to "The Author's Intent" and show up fully. They have a focus on being genuine and true- ensuring that actions and words are consistent with their values and beliefs.

Reflect on these characteristics. Are these traits evident in the leaders you've encountered? What additional qualities would you include in this list?

Here is a practical exercise. Draw a circle on a sheet of paper and divide it into seven segments, each representing one of the traits mentioned: presence, empathy, courage, vulnerability, steadiness, introspection, and authenticity. Assess yourself in each area by shading from the center outwards based on your proficiency and areas for growth.

How does your wheel look? Is your life and leadership journey a smooth ride, or does it feel a bit bumpy?

This introspective exercise isn’t just for reflection; allow it to be a strategic tool to enhance your life and leadership capabilities. By understanding your strengths and identifying areas for improvement, you can align more closely with the qualities of those you admire and aspire to emulate.

May you continue to nurture these qualities and watch how they transform not only your life but also the lives of those connected to you. After all, We will leave a legacy with every person whom we encounter at every encounter.

May you leave a positive, lasting impact that echoes through every interaction.

Be well. Be brave. 

Tray T.S. Deadwyler, CVM, CLC, CBC