Legacy
Larry’s Leadership Ladder
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 begins long before the end of a career. It takes shape in the quiet decisions, steady habits, and daily interactions that build trust over time. It shows up in how we manage our time, how we treat others, and how we follow through when no one is watching.
At MSS, our legacy is reflected in how we serve, how we lead ourselves, and how we support others. It does not require big gestures or recognition. It grows through consistency, character, and care.
Leaving a legacy means forming the habits and making decisions that keep you grounded. It shows in how you respond under pressure, how you set the tone for those around you, and how you carry your values through both calm and difficult seasons.
“Legacy is not leaving something behind for other people. It’s leaving something behind in other people.”
This pillar of the MSS 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 and Leading Others centers on everyday influence, not formal titles. It is reflected in how you carry yourself, how you handle pressure, and how your behavior shapes the environment around you, no matter your title or role.
These lessons are here to help you build lasting impact for yourself, your team, and the people who will follow. Let’s get started.
