Olaolu Ogunyemi is a Marine Corps Major, leadership coach, and author of the upcoming book “Lead Last.” Through his platform, Parent-Child-Connect, he bridges the gap between tactical leadership and intentional parenting.

Building a Legacy

In the ring, WWE legend Bill Goldberg (my favorite wrestler) used the phrase “who’s next?” as a threat. In leadership and parenting, it should be your mission. The fundamental idea I’m presenting is that if your organization crumbles the moment you rotate out or take a vacation, you haven’t actually led…you’ve just managed a schedule. Establishing a legacy of mentorship ensures that your influence outlasts your tenure. True leadership creates ripples that extend beyond the immediate moment.

The “Quiet Force” of Preparation

I’ve long admired Coach Tony Dungy. Like the principles in my book, Lead Last, Dungy’s approach wasn’t about being the loudest voice. His approach while coaching wasn’t about being the loudest voice or the most “innovative” tactician. He focused on the “quiet force” of preparation. Subsequently, he didn’t just win a Super Bowl; he built a coaching tree of leaders who went on to win their own. Coach Dungy understood that leading last means being the architect of a culture where everyone is prepared to step up when their number is called.

The Parenting Pivot: Raising the “Next” Generation

We often think of leadership as a “work thing,” but the most critical “Who’s Next?” moment happens at home. I’m usually not a “trendy” guy (trust me…I wear slip-on sketchers in my mid-thirties), but I do agree with the “authoritative parenting” trend that is shifting pur leadership toward “mentorship over management.” Here’s what that looks like:

• At Work: If you are the only one who can solve a crisis, you are a bottleneck.
• ​At Home: If you are the only one who can resolve a sibling conflict, you aren’t teaching conflict resolution; you’re just a referee.

Whether you’re training a Junior Associate or a middle-schooler, your success is measured by how well they function without you. Read that again, and let it soak in.

My Challenging Thought: Working Yourself Out of a Job

Is your leadership or parenting designed to make you indispensable, or are you actively working yourself out of a job?

This question is the counterintuitive heart of Lead Last. Is making yourself replaceable a catch-22? Does it mean you are no longer needed? I argue that the leader who is “replaceable” because they’ve built a powerhouse team is the only one truly ready for the next level of influence.

Let’s Talk! Join the Conversation

• The Successor Test: How many people on your team (or kids in your home) are prepared to take over your responsibilities right now?
• The NXT Mindset: Do you have a developmental mindset, or are you only focused on your starting lineup talent or on doing it all yourself?
• The Documentation Rule: What repeatable process have you documented this month to ensure your family or team’s longevity?
• The Bottleneck Audit: Is your presence becoming a bottleneck for the next generation’s growth?

Drop a comment below! I want to learn from your experiences. How are you preparing “Who’s Next” in your world?