10 Dec What Will Be Your Legacy?
You will probably consider this important question at some point in the future. Without a doubt, the question can be divided into many areas, including:
- Your legacy in the working world
- Your legacy as a parent
- Your legacy in your non-working life, such as the time dedicated as a volunteer for worthy organizations
For many, including myself, as I retire from working with many of the greatest agencies in the country, the question of one’s legacy is often asked at the end of the experience — when one retires, when the kids are grown up and have their own families, or when one’s volunteer days are behind one.
On the surface, there is one philosophical problem with this timing: it is probably too late to do anything about it. For the sake of this discussion, I want to focus on the working element and the question of what you want your legacy to be when you retire from corporate America. Maybe the better question should be asked as you start your working career. I was recently reading one of Jack Carr’s newest novels (great author!), and there was a particular quote in the book that gets to the heart of the theme of this blog.
“Every decision you make – every decision – is not a decision about what to do. It’s a decision about who you are.” — Neale Donald Walsch, American author.
Essentially, every decision you make plays a part in determining your legacy. Whether that is the first or last day on the job or somewhere in between, your decisions say a lot about who you are. Are you the consummate professional? Do you always strive to do the right thing? How much do you care about your fellow employees and the customers you serve?
From an E&O perspective (after all, isn’t that what this blog is about), how committed are you to ensuring that the best practices are strongly adhered to? Issues include:
- Performing the exposure analysis checklist (one of the silver bullets to preventing E&O claims).
- Memorializing back to the client a synopsis of their decisions.
- Ensuring you are honest with your clients and your carriers.
Performing these key tasks consistently will play a positive role when discussing your legacy.
Said another way is the following poem:
The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears. But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth. And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
In parting, I would like to thank all of the agency staff that I have been honored to interact with over the last 12 years or so. It has truly been an honor and one I will treasure forever.
Curt Pearsall