I was saddened to hear the news that Senator Obama’s grandmother, Madelyn Dunham died after a long battle with cancer on the eve of the election. The article Obama's grandmother, family 'rock', dies on election eve warmed my heart and was a wonderful tribute to the power and strength of grandparent leadership everywhere. Madelyn Dunham’s leadership legacy lives on in her grandson and the American people.

I doubt Ms. Dunham thought when Barack came to live with her and her husband that they were nurturing "history making" leadership greatness. In the article, Obama called his grandmother a Hero. I would call her an extraordinary leader who through her own strength and power nurtured those around her.

True leadership in my book U.N.I.Q.U.E.: Growing the Leader Within is intended to re-sow the seed of greatness around you. We have Obama’s grandparents to thank for changing the conversation of hope and change in this country.

Inspired by my grandaughter, I have been working on a Grandparent workshop that I will unveil in January. I'll to give you a taste of the essence.

Grandparent Leadership Garden® Legacy

Every grandchild is a unique seed in the world’s garden.
Each seed grows a leader from which greatness can blossom.
Imagine the future of our planet, if 11 million grandparents unite to nurture each grandchild to sprout leadership greatness.

The purpose of the workshop is to empower you to discover, articulate, and write your leadership legacy story, or re-write your story if what you see is not what you desire.

It takes courage to look at yourself through the eyes of your grandchild. They are the mirror to your true self and the future. You are one step removed from parenting and can see things a more clearly now.

What kind of leadership legacy do you see when you gaze into the eyes of your grandchildren?

Is it love for nature and humanity?
Is it inner strength and power?
Is it inspiration and peace?
Is it acceptance and forgiveness?
Is it joy and appreciation for the favor, grace, and beauty of life?

Or

Is it mean spirited gossip and blame?
Is it martyrdom and shame?
Is it fear and uncertainty?
Is it frustration and anger?
Is it prejudice and exclusion?
Is it resignation and cynicism that life is not worth living after all?

We are on the verge of a new time in our history. The conversation for change in leadership during the campaign will forever alter our history. But it’s not leadership change at the top, but change from each and every one. The time has come to reclaim our power, refocus our energy, and ignite our passion to make the difference we desire for future generations.

Comedian, D.L. Hughley on his "Break the News" CNN show last Saturday said it best. While interviewing the Rev. Al Sharpton, Hughley comedically expressed nervousness that if Obama wins we will have to deal with things like responsibility and accountability. Though in jest, his point was valid. He addressed the notion that we know children rise to the level of expectation we place on them, what will Obama’s call for change mean for the rest of us?

I believe regardless of who wins the election, the time has come for grandparents of our generation to lead the way and acknowledge our leadership legacy place in history. 
 
My free eBook: A Unique Path to Greatness: Eight Principles and Practices for Growing Your Thriving Leadership Garden will introduce you to the leadership legacy I am talking about -- no strings attached.

Download free_ebook_a_unique_path_to_greatness.pdf

I hope you'll hop on over to

www.leadergardenpress.com

and sign-up for our email list to be notified about our Grandparent's Leadership Garden Legacy efforts in 2009.