Legacy
Larry’s Leadership Ledger
Ok, can I be honest? I don’t like funerals. I understand the value and think it is the right thing to do to honor someone’s life. I just don’t like the whole flowers, casket, wake, vibe. Recently, I have found myself going to…. you guessed it… funerals. While it was admittedly uncomfortable, I have noticed a pattern.
While celebrating the life of the deceased, no one talked about their great or grand accomplishments. Instead, I heard stories of love. Simple at times but consistent. Small acts that made an impact on those around them. A conversation, an act of kindness, being present when someone needed them, making time when there was a need. I heard over and over about the legacy that they lived. I heard about relationships and fond memories. I learned of the fun they had with those they loved.
It was the experiences and simple acts of caring and love that those who were celebrating their lives talked about. Living a legacy of love is a choice. It’s not a feeling or wishful thinking. Love is an action, or rather, it is a series of actions taken throughout the course of an encounter, a relationship, or a lifetime.
It’s the small relation-“shifts” that will make a big difference in the lives of those you care about.
Larry Little
Eagle Center for Leadership
Legacy isn’t something you wait to think about at the end of your career. It’s something we’re shaping every day, in small ways. It shows up in how we manage our time, how we treat others, and in the quiet choices we make when no one’s watching.
At the Morgan County Probate Office, our legacy is reflected in the way we serve. It’s in how we lead ourselves and how we support each other in everyday moments. It doesn't require big gestures or recognition; it comes through consistency, character, and care.
You’ve already explored the first two pillars: Teamwork and Integrity. Those modules focused on how we communicate, how we build trust, and how we stay accountable to each other. Now, we shift the focus even more inward.
Leaving a legacy means forming the habits and making decisions that keep you grounded over time. It shows in the example you set when leading yourself and those around you through both the highs and the lows of life.
“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.”
This part of the MCPO Way focuses on two areas: Work/Life Balance and Leading Yourself/Leading Others:
Work/Life Balance is less about perfect harmony and more about learning to manage your energy, your time, and your expectations in a way that works for your real life, not just your ideal one. It’s about protecting what matters so you can keep showing up every day.
Leading Yourself/Others centers on everyday influence, not formal titles. It’s reflected in how you carry yourself, how you handle pressure, and how you help shape the culture around you.
These lessons are here to help you build a lasting impact, not just for yourself but for your office and the people who come after you.
