The Wing Maker --- Moments That Define Legacy

 

 

 

"Wondering if you’ve made a difference? Look at the people who once leaned on you and are now soaring on their own. Legacy isn’t the nest you built—it’s the wings you helped them spread."

 

Early in my career, someone told me:

“It’s good to be goal-oriented. But later, it will be the relationships and the people you impacted that will stay with you.”

I didn’t fully understand it then. I was focused on milestones, metrics, and moving up. But years later, that wisdom came rushing back—because of one conversation with my assistant.

The Conversation

We were sitting in my office when I asked him the classic question:

“Where do you see yourself in a few years?”

Without hesitation, he said, “Right here—still your assistant.”

I smiled, but inside, I knew that wasn’t his destiny. I looked him in the eye and said:

“I’m kicking you out of the nest. You need to learn how to fly and find your

own flight path.”

He laughed nervously, but I meant every word. My job wasn’t to keep him comfortable—it was to help him grow.

Watching Him Soar     

Fast forward to today: he’s a successful Sr. Safety Manager thriving in a large organization. Every time I see his updates, I feel that quiet joy—the kind that comes from knowing you played a part in someone else’s story.

 

That moment taught me something profound: Legacy isn’t about what you achieve—it’s about who you lift.

When Success Stops Being About You

I remember the day it hit me. I was sitting in my window office, the kind of space that I once only dreamed about, a title that carried weight, and a calendar packed with meetings that mattered. By every external measure, I had “made it.” But inside, something felt hollow.

The question whispered louder each day:
Am I really making a difference? Or just moving numbers and hitting objectives?

That question became a turning point. I realized that what I craved wasn’t another promotion or a bigger bonus—it was impact that outlives me. Something legacy-leaning. Something that mattered beyond quarterly results.

I started small. Instead of focusing solely on my own performance, I began investing in people—mentoring, coaching, listening. At first, it felt like a side project. Then, it became the most fulfilling part of my job.

 

Helping someone discover their potential is like planting a seed. You don’t see the bloom overnight, but when it happens, it’s breathtaking. Coaching isn’t about giving answers; it’s about giving belief. It’s about saying, “I see something in you—let’s bring it out.”

Titles fade. Goals change. But the people you invest in? They carry your impact forward—into their careers, their teams, their lives. That’s the kind of success that stays with you.

There’s a unique joy in coaching others. It’s not instant gratification; it’s a slow, steady bloom. You watch someone wrestle with doubt, find their footing, and then soar higher than they imagined. And you know you played a part—not by doing it for them, but by believing in them when they couldn’t yet believe in themselves.

I still go back to my assistant where one of my proudest moments wasn’t my own achievement—it was watching a young associate I coached land a leadership role he thought was out of reach. He still reminds me how grateful he is that I pushed him out of the nest.

That message stays with me. It reminds me that legacy isn’t about titles or money—it’s about people whose lives are better because you showed up.

If you ever question your impact, don’t count the projects or the titles. Look at the lives you’ve touched—the ones you pushed out of the nest who now fly with confidence—I bet there are many. In the end, it’s not about the nest you built; it’s about the wings you gave them to soar.

Why Coaching Feels Like Legacy

It multiplies impact. When you help one person grow, you influence every team they lead, every decision they make.

·        It creates ripples. Your guidance today becomes someone else’s confidence tomorrow.

·        It outlasts you. Long after you’ve moved on, the people you’ve lifted carry forward the lessons—and pass them on.

If You’re Feeling That Pull

If you’ve ever felt like your work isn’t making a difference, start here:

·        Mentor someone. Share what you know, but more importantly, listen.

·        Celebrate their wins. Make their success your scoreboard.

·        Shift your lens. Legacy isn’t built in office rooms—it’s built in conversations, encouragement, and belief.

Closing Thought

Success is satisfying. But significance? That’s soul-deep. When you help others rise, you don’t just change their story—you change yours. And that, my friend, is the beginning of your legacy.

 

 

 

Why Every Leader Needs a Mirror: The Transformative Power of Executive Coaching, by Donna Wanser

 

The Eagle Lesson and the Mirror

High above the mountains, an eagle prepares its young eaglets for flight. At first, the parent builds a strong nest and provides food. But as the eaglets grow, the eagle begins to change its approach—removing soft feathers from the nest, nudging them toward the edge, and eventually encouraging them to leap.

It’s not about control. It’s about confidence. The eagle knows its role is to equip, not hover. It trusts the eaglets to soar on their own.

That’s exactly what executive coaching does for leaders. Coaching is the mirror that helps us see when we’re acting like the eagle—or when we’re clinging to the nest. It reflects the habits that keep us hovering: micromanaging, over-involving, and holding on too tightly. And it shows us the skills we need to equip our teams—trust, delegation, and empowerment—so they can fly without us.

When leaders embrace the mirror, they stop asking, ‘How do I control more?’ and start asking, ‘How do I prepare my team to thrive without me?’ That shift is the essence of leadership growth.

If anyone has followed the stories of Jackie and Shadow and their eaglets in Big Bear Lake, California, you will understand the importance of equip, don’t hover. For a whole season of preparing the nest, protecting the eggs, nurturing and feeding to preparing them for life out of the nest, I waited daily to see the rapid growth of confidence these eaglets took on… all the way through soaring in the skies on their own. It was heart-touching, and Jackie and Shadow looked on with pride even though they knew there was a chance they may not see them again. They did their job and will move on to begin to prepare for their next set of eaglets.

Executive Coaching: The Mirror Leaders Need

Executive coaching is that mirror. It reflects not just what’s visible—your decisions, your style—but what’s beneath: your assumptions, blind spots, and untapped potential.

1. Clarity Through Reflection

In the rush of deadlines and decisions, we rarely stop to ask: ‘Why do I lead this way?’ Coaching creates space for leaders to pause and see themselves clearly.

·        Takeaway: Reflection isn’t indulgent—it’s strategic. Clarity leads to better choices.

2. Unlocking Blind Spots

Every leader has blind spots. They’re not weaknesses—they’re simply areas we can’t see alone. Coaches act as trusted guides, shining light on behaviors and beliefs that impact our teams.

·        Takeaway: Awareness is the first step toward growth. What you can’t see, you can’t change.

3. Building Emotional Intelligence

Leadership today isn’t just about strategy—it’s about empathy, resilience, and adaptability. Coaching strengthens these muscles by challenging us to lead with both head and heart.

·        Takeaway: Emotional intelligence isn’t optional; it’s a leadership superpower.

4. Why Micromanagers Often Want Promotions

Here’s a paradox: leaders who micromanage often do so because they want to prove they’re ready for the next level. They believe that being involved in everything demonstrates competence and commitment. In reality, it signals the opposite: inability to delegate, scale, and trust—qualities essential for advancement.

Micromanagement shows up in two ways:

·        Having to Be in Control or Involved in Everything Your Team Does – Fear of mistakes, belief that oversight equals leadership, and lack of trust.

·        Inserting Yourself Everywhere (Even Outside Your Responsibility) – Desire for visibility, anxiety about being overlooked, and misunderstanding that involvement equals impact.

·        Leadership isn’t about holding on—it’s about letting go at the right time.

Leadership Challenge

This week, ask yourself:

·        Where am I hovering instead of equipping?

·        What one area could I trust my team more?

Further Reading

·        The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier – Learn how to ask powerful questions and lead through curiosity, not control.

·        Multipliers by Liz Wiseman – Discover how the best leaders amplify others’ intelligence instead of micromanaging.

·        Dare to Lead by Brené Brown – Explore trust, vulnerability, and courage as cornerstones of leadership.