Disruption is all around us, and it creates anxiety and uncertainty—not a new topic for leaders. Global events are broadcast into our lives daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine. The recent war in Iran. The acceleration of technological change in social media and artificial intelligence (AI). All these events and more affect our psychological safety and well-being, cognitive focus, and relationships. Since leadership is a relationship, the power of legacy can help leaders move beyond disruption to direction.
In my book, “Breadcrumb Legacy: How Great Leaders Live a Life Worth Remembering,” legacy is based on understanding the everyday impact of our actions, decisions, and behaviors. When leaders are conscious of even their smallest actions, they reflect more deeply on the difference they are making. It is about being consciously intentional about what we say and do.
Recently, I was presenting the breadcrumb legacy concept at a conference of commercial real estate professionals and I asked the question: How do you want to be remembered as a leader during chaos and disruption?
Another question I like to ask audiences is: Have you ever worked under a leader who created a toxic and unhealthy environment? This led to an interactive and thought-provoking discussion about the kind of impact they want to have on others. We discussed what it felt like working under a leader during a merger or AI layoffs and what they remembered about how that leader acted.
Your Legacy in Uncertain Times
The legacy you live and leave behind—your impact and influence—can be positive or negative. It reflects your values. When leaders know their values, their actions and behaviors should demonstrate those values. When you are intentional and conscious of what you say and do, your legacy can be your moral compass, your true north, your guiding light. Legacy matters because you are leaving it with how you lead and how you live. As the circumstances change around us and disruptions take place, your values are your foundation. They do not change. They keep you strong in uncertain times. People trust you when they know your values, and this helps create psychological safety for them.
Your breadcrumb legacy is built Intentionally by making choices with the future in mind. It is important to lead with small, consistent, and repeated actions because this builds trust. Continue to Invest in people through mentorship and succession planning. In uncertain times, invest in your followers with effort, time, and attention.
One way to encode and embed your values is through storytelling and rituals. Stories also can be used to reinforce cultural values. When the environment is unpredictable, rituals can add predictability and a sense of anticipation that provides enjoyment, comfort, and/or personal recognition. Examples of rituals can be ways to celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries, and accomplishments. If creativity and innovation are values, develop a ritual to encourage and reward these values.
Turning Disruption into Opportunity
Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert professor emeritus at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, outlines how leaders can turn disruption into opportunity in his LinkedIn article.
- Find certainty in uncertainty. Unanticipated external chaos creates uncertainty. Leaders who know their values provide a foundation for others. Certainty through values provides clarity, consistency, and a safe environment for others to work.
- Focus on personal relationships. Leaders can create a safe culture by being open and transparent. Provide spaces for listening to employee concerns, receiving advice for action, and sharing organization responses. In chaos and times of disruption, people lean into trusted relationships to share and care. When employees feel heard, they can put the situation in context. “Leaders in a crisis don’t ignore, they inform; they don’t obsess, they support; they don’t blame, they learn. Relationships provide support.”
- Act: Focus on something within your control. People want to know what they can do to make a difference or to help, and this is particularly true in times of crisis. “Actions focus attention.” This prevents obsessing about what is outside of one’s control.
Ulrich reminds us that “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.” While a crisis may not be preferred, everyone can grow personally and professionally from external disruptions that can be turned into opportunities. If you lead in the way you want to be remembered, legacy will be your north star.
We all have an opportunity to circle back—objectively, we are all going through anxious times right now. Everyone is a leader because the most important person to lead is yourself. How have you acted or reacted to chaos and disruption in the last few weeks?
Lead intentionally, be consistent, mentor others, tell your stories, and integrate some rituals in your leadership practices. What is one breadcrumb you can leave this week?
