Myths and Mortals

Epilogue: Stepping out of the Shadows and into the Light of Your Leadership

The succession stories that we have heard throughout this book show us that it is possible to follow in the footsteps of great leaders and develop a leadership style that is true to who you are. I'd like to tell you that there is an easy five-step process to stepping out of the shadows, but the process is not linear, it is iterative. What is important is to build a consistent practice at examining your growth and development as a leader, getting feedback, and being clear about your values, your mission, and your vision for your life. There are as many paths out of the shadows as there are successors. There are executive education style programs like the Next Generation Leadership Institute at Loyola, Next Gen communities like the community at the Family Business Network North America, and great opportunities to learn through YPO, Vistage, and local family business centers. But, I'd like to leave you with one possible framework, with questions to help you identify the most powerful myths at work in your family and business, as well as understand what they mean for you and the challenges that you face. Some of these questions can help lead you to an action plan toward achieving your vision for your life.

Identifying the Myths

Often, when we feel most stuck in our growth and development in a family business, it is the power of the myths and stories that we tell as a family about our parents, about our families, ...