Whose legacy do you carry with you?
Exodus 13:19
My last reflection focused on Moses’ remembrance of Joseph’s last words. I’m staying with the same verse this week, as it relates so well to families and family businesses.
Recall the Israelites are about ready to leave Egypt after plundering the Egyptians, taking silver, gold, and jewelry. But Moses also took something very important to Israel’s history:
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” (Exodus 13:19)
Joseph’s life, and its implications for family businesses, is the topic of one of my earlier books. But even in Joseph’s death we have something to learn: that future generations will carry something of you with them.
The seeds of many family businesses today were planted in prior generations. A parent or grandparent started and grew a company, and it then was passed to younger family members. Other times, those seeds bloom in different ways:
A business failed in the past, but a future generation turns those lessons — whether they are missed opportunities or mistakes — into a successful business today or tomorrow.
A prior generation’s values of stewardship, service, or generosity take shape in the actions or roles of current or future generations. Consider this one of the blessings of grandparents.
A prior family member’s knack for solving problems, or their really great idea from decades ago, or even their love of a particular place, takes shape in a future generation’s entrepreneurial efforts.
Those are examples of some of the “bones” you or your children carry with you today, and those bones will form your future.
Who from your past significantly influenced you, your family, or your business — that is, how do you carry their “bones?” What “bones” of yours — your efforts, values, lessons, or loves — do you hope future generations will carry with them?