People often ask me for my opinion when it comes to the topic of leaving a legacy. First, I want to say that legacy is important, because you want what you have started to continue to grow after you’re gone. You’re not going to live in this world forever, so you will not be able to do every single thing that needs to be done to complete various initiatives during your lifetime; which is why you must build up other leaders to take over and move things forward.
Here’s the problem…
Often times when leaders get to the age where they start thinking about leaving a legacy, they focus so much attention on teaching to the point where they do not contribute as much to community initiatives like they used to; as if teaching others is a replacement for that.
Well, It’s not!
I recognize that at this point in my life and career I may not be doing things the exact same way that I’ve done them before, but I’m still doing my part. I’m still a solutionist – I’ve never stopped being one just because I teach.
Here’s the solution…
I like teaching and having that connection with young people, but I also believe in staying in the mix myself and continuing to push forward. The fact of the matter is: I’ve got too much intellectual capital to just leave it all on the table.
To me, it’s not about choosing one or the other, it’s about doing a both!
Baby Boomers talk a lot about giving back, but I’m not really a giving back type of leader, because that almost seems as though I’m disconnected from what’s going on. Instead of leaving and then giving back, I prefer to lend a hand while I’m in the middle of it all. I’m gonna stay right there in the mix connecting with the younger generations.
Baby boomers, Gen-X, and millennials need to work together, and honor and respect what each brings to the table. There’s so much we all can learn from each other.
So yes, I pass the baton, but I also stay in the race!
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