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What Shaq Said!


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"You are never going to be me...develop your style...create your own way" were the words that Shaq said to his son, which is the best career advice he could have given him. Here's why...only 10% of family businesses make it to the third generation and the unspoken pressure for a son to follow in his father's footsteps is so tense that it sometimes severs the relationship.


Most sons look up to their father when growing up, that is their first hero, their first example. Ironically, even if the father is not in the son's life, there is an internal battle that takes place to not be like his father but to be better. And when a father has built a reputation that extends in the community, another layer of pressure is added through external opinion.


At the root of this dynamic is legacy. The purpose of having a legacy is to provide for future generations by leaving something that outlives you. In doing so, you must understand that those who will carry on your legacy must be able to contribute to it in their own way. You have to be willing to trust that you have instilled the values and set the example for the next generation to prosper. That's exactly what Shaq was saying to Shareef.


To follow in someone else's footsteps can be challenging because you don't want to disappoint or be considered a failure. It is that sentiment of why so many go against the legacy because they don't see themselves succeeding in what has been built. That is a limitation! If you are fortunate to have someone clear the path for you, step into your own shoes and build on the pathway to establish your legacy. If you've built a legacy, welcome your successors' uniqueness, provide guidance when needed, and don't pressure them into your ideals.


A strong legacy speaks for itself...and it continues through the gifts of successors who build upon The legacy to create their legacy and thus The legacy lives throughout multiple generations.


For more information on building and maintaining a legacy, check out Pursuing Legacy: Principles for an Influential Career & Impactful Life and visit drpj.online for an upcoming legacy course.


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