In the 1960s, meteorologist Edward Lorenz discovered something remarkable: tiny butterfly-scale changes to his computer weather model produced significant and unpredictable changes in his forecast.
The butterfly effect.
Your actions work the same way. Every choice creates a ripple, gentle as a butterfly wing, but with potential to bring storms or sunny days to people you’ll never meet.
The Ripple You’re Already Making
Leading from the inside out means your influence naturally extends outward. The way you treat your team affects how they treat their families. The patience you show a colleague ripples into their community.
You’re already building a legacy — the only question is: what kind?
The H.E.I.R. Framework
I use the acronym H.E.I.R. to help leaders think about legacy intentionally:
H: Humility Working toward goals that focus on ripples instead of recognition. Humble leaders focus on their own growth first, then the well-being of others. Acknowledgment is never primary.
E: Empathy Considering others at every step. When things go wrong, looking at what might have influenced the person rather than just blaming them. This motivates us to move from hoarding to giving.
I: Integrity Being honest, owning mistakes, and building trust through consistency. When people know they can rely on your word, they want to follow you.
R: Resilience Working within your strengths and core values creates the foundation to withstand hard times. The Goodness Journey doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing, but it creates the rhythm that makes you durable.
The Question
As the year draws to a close, ask yourself: What kind of ripple am I sending into the world?
Is it building the legacy I actually want to leave?
These questions, and a framework for answering them, are at the heart of Goodness over Greatness.
