In 2008, I ventured out to California for The Ultimate Leadership Workshop.  This event appealed to me on several levels.  Appealing to my D wired strengths were the words “ultimate” and “leadership” in the same sentence; that certainly perked my ears up! Second, it was in sunny southern California; and third, it was a workshop put together by Cloud-Townsend. I had read several books by both Drs. Cloud and Townsend and found their perspective really easy to grasp.

During the workshop, there were facilitated discussions and discovery that really helped me to zero in on where I was at that point in my life, to frame some of my life’s experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly – and to gain perspective on what I wanted the second half of my life to be.

One evening, we were all invited aboard a boat in Newport Beach Harbor where we sailed through the sunset.  During that sail, I remembered one question Dr.Henry Cloud had posed to the group.  “What do you want your wake to be, what are you leaving the in trail of your life?”  That was such a profound question. I really gave me an chance to evaluate what I wanted my wake to be.  What would I want to be known for or about?

It is just the type of questions leaders ask themselves.

Here are just a few words that came to my mind then and now as I think of the “wake” I leave behind as I cruise through life.

I want to be leave a wake of love, grace, leadership, forgiveness, generosity, dream building, life enhancing and connecting people to the best in themselves and others.  Living that out each day is tough.  Some days it’s easy and others it’s nearly impossible.  But perfection is not what’s expected of me; it’s the progressive realization on how I can offer my best, each day, that matters.

So if you and I cross paths today as I am reminded of my “wake”, I will be just a little bit closer to my goal, and I will be enriched by interacting with you. I hope I can bring some light and life to you as well.

What about you?

What is the “wake” you hope to leave behind?