Leadership Legacy: Discover, Create, Live Your Best Life!

By Kerry Fierke

In today's rapidly changing world, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. "Leadership Legacy: Discover, Create, Live Your Best Life!" is a compelling guide taking readers on a journey toward discovering hidden superpowers, finding resilience in the face of adversity, and identifying a unique long-term vision of success. By engaging in the book's activities and thought-provoking questions, readers deepen their understanding of leadership on their way to crafting a personal and professional roadmap to their best life. Drawing from her career studying, researching, and teaching leadership to students and professionals around the world, Dr. Kerry K. Fierke's expertise grounds her work in time-tested leadership theories. She masterfully weaves these with interviews from transformational leaders across the globe along with compelling personal narratives to help readers develop their own unique path to leaving a Leadership Legacy. Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, this book is part leadership textbook, practical workbook, and personal diary designed to be equally engaging for students, early-career working parents, middle managers, and C-suite professionals. The best time to start working on your unique Leadership Legacy is right now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350934670

Kerry Fierke

Dr. Kerry K. Fierke (Fear-Key) has a passion for enhancing people's leadership skills, talents, and abilities. Decades of fast-paced corporate experience in Fortune 100 companies and large health care organizations, combined with the academic rigor of a highly ranked research university, honed Dr. Fierke's leadership expertise. Since joining the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy faculty in 2011, she has taught leadership content in over 30 courses at the doctorate level. Dr. Fierke brings her considerable passion and energy to whatever she engages in, and is deeply grateful for the beautiful, natural surroundings of their home in northern Minnesota. She regularly discusses leadership with her spouse of over 25 years, Dr. Gardner Lepp, and their three children. Visit her at www.kerrykfierke.com.

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Kerry K. Fierke, Ed.D.

www.kerrykfierke.com

Copyright © 2024 by Kerry K. Fierke, Ed.D.

All rights reserved including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, and promotes scholarly rigor. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and complying with copyright law by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of the book in any form without permission from the author.

For more information about the author visit www.kerrykfierke.com.

ISBN 979-8-35093-466-3

eBook ISBN 979-8-35093-467-0

Dedicated to my ancestors who built legacies

for me to stand upon…

…and to Paris, Quinn, and Sawyer,

my proudest Leadership Legacy.

Leadership Legacy /lee-der-ship /leh·guh·see/ noun

The enduring and significant results of our most

meaningful endeavors.

Praise for Leadership Legacy: Discover, Create, Live Your Best Life!

Leadership Legacy: Discover, Create, Live Your Best Life provides a novel and refreshing approach for anyone looking to uncomplicate their life and clarify where to place energy and focus to make a difference. Dr. Kerry K. Fierke incorporates personal anecdotes, inspirational case studies, and engaging exercises to lead readers through a step-by-step process in how to discover, create, and live a life we may not even know can exist. Dr. Fierke’s wisdom delivered through her upbeat and authentic writing style makes Leadership Legacy a book I will continue to reference during all phases of life, from challenging to celebratory. 

- Bridget McGugan, PharmD, MBA

Leadership Legacy is approachable and easy to dive into for both experienced leaders and those seeking advice as they embark on their first opportunity to lead. From The Ending all the way to The Beginning, Dr. Kerry K. Fierke weaves real-life experiences and case studies with practical exercises in leadership. Fierke features key skills for readers such as how to build a foundation, hone-in on a vision, and develop an intentional focus. The advice serves as a guide and catalyst for readers to develop their personal Leadership Legacy.

- Gregory M. Zumach, PharmD, Clinical Assistant Professor,

University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy

Dr. Fierke, a student and participant in the field of leadership, weaves her own personal narratives into a framework, supplemented by a series of targeted activities, meticulously designed to empower leaders at every level. Leadership Legacy embarks on an exploration of the very essence of leadership, addressing timeless questions that plague the hearts of leaders: where should our efforts be directed, and why? What is the true significance of our work? How can we foster a purpose that endures beyond our leadership tenure, while simultaneously shaping our current stewardship? The culmination of her work is not merely a book; it is a guide for leaders towards a more enlightened and impactful trajectory.

- Brian Sick, MD, Professor,

University of Minnesota Medical School

I had the privilege of delving into Leadership Legacy, a profoundly insightful exploration of leadership and the legacy everyone is able to leave behind. Through the lens of Dr. Kerry K. Fierke’s own journey, this book offers a trove of wisdom and practical advice for anyone aspiring to leave a lasting mark on the world around them. What struck me most was the emphasis on self-discovery as the cornerstone of leadership. Dr. Fierke eloquently illustrates that to lead others effectively, one must first lead themselves. This foundational concept resonated deeply with me, igniting a desire to become a more holistic and compassionate leader.

- Aubrey Norgren, PharmD, University of Minnesota College

of Pharmacy Leadership Emphasis Area Class of 2024

While discovering, creating, and living our best lives, sometimes we lose focus on what is most important. As we get older, our idea of what is most important changes and so does our vision of happiness. I believe everything happens for a reason, and reading Leadership Legacy happened at just the right time for me and for just the right reasons. Kerry’s definition of a Leadership Legacy that encompasses her personal, family, and work journey is relatable and enjoyable. As I read chapter by chapter, I couldn’t believe how much I had in common with the author. I started looking retrospectively at my choices in my career and in my life and the legacy I want to leave behind. As I finished Leadership Legacy, it wasn’t the end the book, it was the beginning of the next chapter in my story.

- Christine Sinnott, Senior Director of

Walmart Health and Wellness Operations

Prior to reading Dr. Fierke’s work, and since entering the profession of pharmacy as a faculty member, I thought my goal to have a positive impact on the lives I touched and leave a lasting legacy was a new thing for me. After reading this book and completing the exercises provided, I have realized this has been my ultimate goal since the passing of my father when I was 11 years old. This book will help you not only define your Leadership Legacy, but it will also help you define your ultimate legacy.

- Kurt A. Wargo, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS Professor and Dean,

West Coast University School of Pharmacy

In a digitized world in which the average human attention span (8 seconds) is now thought to be lower than that of a goldfish (9 seconds), Dr. Fierke presents readers with a blueprint to meaningfully think, live, and lead in ways that can leave a long-lasting impact. She weaves a compelling mix of personal anecdotes, evidence-based insights, and practical exercises that will engage and inspire readers to make a mark that can last.

- Anthony W. Olson, Ph.D., Pharm.D.,

Research Scientist, Essentia Institute of Rural Health

In Leadership Legacy, Dr. Kerry K. Fierke explores the complex nature of leadership through an honest reflection on her past experiences, failures, successes, and relationships. It challenges readers to redefine their understanding of leadership and begin to reconstruct their visions, priorities, and behaviors upon a strong leadership foundation. Leadership Legacy provides a framework for personal and professional success and should be considered a must-read for anyone who seeks to engage in significant, meaningful work.

- Nicole Empting, PharmD, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Leadership Emphasis Area Class of 2024

In her book, Leadership Legacy, Dr. Kerry K. Fierke provides an engaging and clear call to action – a call to do the important work of introspection required to truly live our lives with purpose. Dr. Fierke calls us to lead with the intention necessary for making a lasting impact on the world around us for future generations.

- Whitney Maxwell, PharmD, MBA, BCPS,

University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy

Dr. Kerry Fierke has her finger on the pulse of leadership development. In this work she is a remarkable guide on the side as she shares knowledge, insights, strategies, tactics, and personal reflective exercises to help readers create personal and professional stories to build leadership legacies. Dr. Fierke is open, honest, vulnerable, compassionate, witty, and sensitive as she reminds us, we have choices where to place our energy and how to build our legacies. Her success formula includes attention to purpose and foundations, vision, focus, relationships, resilience, and sustainability. Working through the exercises and reflections in this book enables people to be a leader of their own life. Kerry Fierke gives all of us a free pass to make the changes necessary to create our own Leadership Legacies. 

- Daniel J Pesut, PhD, RN, FAAN. Emeritus Professor of Nursing, Emeritus Katherine R. and C. Walton Lillehei Chair in Nursing Leadership, University of Minnesota School of Nursing

This book, Leadership Legacy: Discover, Create, Live Your Best Life, urged me to reflect on what it means to be a leader both professionally and personally. What was most impactful to me was how Dr. Fierke interwove the concept of servant leadership into her work on leaving a legacy, which encourages readers to leave it better than you found it. The importance of sharing leadership learnings with those who follow us ultimately helps us define our own Leadership Legacy.

- James J. Tomsche, Pharm.D., BCPS,

Senior Pharmacy Operations Manager, Essentia Health

As humans, we will all make an impact just by being alive. However, to leave behind a positive and lasting legacy, we need to be intentional about how we lead our lives. In Leadership Legacy, Kerry weaves together heartfelt personal stories, proven strategies from her research, and empowering, practical tools to build a Leadership Legacy. Kerry shares ways to authentically integrate a Leadership Legacy into her own life and has inspired me and countless others to do the same. Her wisdom is sure to make a positive impact as she helps leaders build a legacy that will last generations.

- Rachel Gilbertson, M.Ed, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and owner of Art of Presence

Dr. Fierke’s commitment to not only teaching, but also learning, shines through in Leadership Legacy. She doesn’t simply tell you how to grow in your leadership, but rather shows you through her own vulnerability and authenticity. Each story and lesson in the book are impactful, thoughtful, and relatable. I already know Leadership Legacy will be a book that I visit again and again, as I navigate change and grow as a leader. Wherever you are on your leadership journey, Leadership Legacy will help you discover, create and live your best life, as promised! 

-Molly Malecha, PharmD, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Leadership Emphasis Area Class of 2024

Leadership Legacy is a glimpse into what life can look like when we shift our mindset from surviving to thriving. It shows us how we can push past employer labels and uniquely define our own fulfilling roles spanning across family, organization, and community. Dr. Fierke’s personal stories and researched case studies illustrate how to avoid burnout and other common personal and professional struggles through intentional, deep self-reflection. A legacy will be left either way when we die. What will be yours?

- Tara Puhalla, PharmD, Pharmacist-in-charge

Have you ever told yourself to just make it through the day, only to tell yourself the very same thing the next day? Those days turn into weeks, months, years, and ultimately your life. Leadership Legacy shows us how to break free from the constraints of just getting through life. Fierke reminds us, It takes courage to be awake. It takes courage to be intentional with our life. Her book teaches us how to transition from tolerated to desired experiences, transforming our lives from a reactive approach to one that just might lead to the legacy we didn’t know we’ve been creating all along.

- Kim M. Jones, PharmD, BCSP, FASHP,

Professor, Union University

Leadership Legacy is a must read for all leaders, whether they are just beginning their careers or leading a Fortune 500 company. Kerry Fierke shares personal and professional experiences that help guide the reader through a practical process to think differently about leadership. Her book provides a method to truly enhance your leadership skills to bring the best out in yourself, your teams, and your organization by creating a culture that gravitates towards positivity. 

- Michael Metcalf, Retired, Healthcare Executive

I read Leadership Legacy at a time in my life when several big changes were taking place; planning a wedding, finishing my doctorate, and preparing for the start of my career. The book caused me to truly pause and reflect on my life, my goals, my relationships, my history, and my future. Leadership Legacy is for anyone who wants to learn about themselves not just as a leader, but as an individual. Dr. Kerry K. Fierke shares tools to help you reflect on the past, make sense of the present, and feel empowered for the future. You don’t need to be leading an organization or business to be a leader in your own life, Leadership Legacy can show you how. 

-Sierrah Althaus, PharmD, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Leadership Emphasis Area Class of 2024

Part storybook and part workbook, Leadership Legacy, guides us through activities and experiences to create an inclusive and deceptively simple approach to life. No matter where you are in your career journey, Dr. Kerry K. Fierke challenges, inspires, and empowers us to be intentional: …your life story is never done: you need to get curious about who you are and where you are focusing your energy in order to discover your legacy.

- Molly Ekstrand, BS.Pharm., BCACP,

Healthcare Leader, Speaker, and Author

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part 1: Discover Your Leadership Legacy

Chapter 1 The End

Chapter 2 Superpowered Superheroes

Chapter 3 The Sharpest Lens

Part 2: Create Your Leadership Legacy

Chapter 4 Foundation

Chapter 5 Vision

Chapter 6 Intentional Focus

Chapter 7 Meaningful Relationships

Chapter 8 Resiliency

Chapter 9 Sustainability

Part 3: Live Your Leadership Legacy

Chapter 10 Acknowledge the Change

Chapter 11 What You Leave Behind

Chapter 12 Take the Lead

Chapter 13 The Beginning

Comprehensive Reflection Questions for Leadership Legacy

Acknowledgments

Special Acknowledgment

KerryOn

Introduction

Have you gotten the late-night call that changes your world?

If you haven’t yet, I hope you don’t. Mine came in March 1999. I was in my early twenties,