legacy work

Being Present

What is showing up for? Who's it for?

How does our time at work, in a meeting, giving a presentation, coaching someone, benefit the others? How does it make things better for them? What happens if we show up even better, more engaged, with more empathy, better listening, with better questions, with more energy? Will it make things even better? What if it's our last one, our last chance to make things better? What if our legacy depended on it? Would we try harder?

Every time we show up it might be the last time. And, every time we show up we have a chance to give the performance of a lifetime. We can act is if showing up matters. Or, we can do just enough to get by. It's our choice. Choose wisely.

The Aging of Legacy Work

Devils Tower, or Bear Lodge as it was named by native populations centuries earlier, was formed approximately 50 million years ago and became the first US National Monument in 1906. It's seen by many as a mysterious, almost unnatural object due to its monolithic shape, obscurity and size relative to its surroundings. More recently, it became associated with extra terrestrial visitation after being featured in a popular 70's sci fi movie.

While it might serve as a modern day alien landmark, it didn't start out this way. In fact, the columns of igneous intrusion are the leftovers after millions of years of erosion. It was covered for most of its life by the sedimentary rock around it. It wasn't noticeable, and certainly not remarkable, until relatively recently. The core wasn't revealed early on.

We live our lives in much the same way. What's happening underneath, our core value system, our world view, our wisdom gained from practice and experience is often obscured by layers of manufactured acts and slight alterations generated to fit in, to ensure we're seen in a way which makes us feel safe. Over time, our true self emerges, most often later in life. But eventually, it's there, whether we like it or not.

Legacies are started early and revealed later. And, the work in between determines whether it's remarkable, or not. Please choose wisely.

The Importance of A vs. The

I want to be A (insert job here) is way different than saying I want to be The (insert same job here).

The rules, standards, compensation and the story of A job are made by someone else. The value of The job or The work one will do is established by the person building it…because it’s specific, it’s unique. And it defines the standard.

Of course, being specific about your work and making a promise about how you do it, comes with a downside. You are on the hook for it…completely accountable. There’s no one else to blame when it doesn’t work. But it’s a risk worth taking if you’re building a legacy of meaningful change.

Why be just another one, when you can be the only one.

We deserve more The and less A. Please choose wisely.

I'm Lucky Enough...

to be able to do this work…is much different than saying I’m lucky to be able to do this work here, in this place with these people.

Being unsatisfied with the work is an individual problem. A problem that is solvable mainly by the person doing it. Leveling up is a product of a person’s desire to learn and then consistently showing up as their best self…both things they control. But creating excitement about showing up (to do the work) is a group problem…one solved by leaders who care enough about a positive culture to focus and invest in it. A positive culture which celebrates and rewards each person’s contribution to group purpose is a very powerful motivator, even for those doing the so called menial work.

Trying to solve an employee's dissatisfaction with their chosen profession is often futile. It’s far more impactful to spend time on the environment they plug into…and the legacy they can build from it.

Privilege of Artful Work

A job is more than a chance to do the work someone else prescribes. It’s an opportunity to show your best self, approach and do work in such a way that it changes someone. We all know when we experience someone in this state, it’s a magical and remarkable experience.

Showing up and meeting the standard is important…it’s work that needs to be done. Performing the work in such a way that it moves someone is a choice. It comes with the risk that it might not work. But it’s also one we all deserve. Choose wisely.