On Leadership to Survive Chaos

As many of you know / remember, this week marks the one year anniversary of the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Being founded and headquartered in Los Angeles, with teammates and friends and family and living throughout the area, these fires upended 2025 for all of us.

Our hearts continue to grieve for all that we have lost, all that we will not regain, and those beautiful humans who will no longer add vibrant colors to our lives.

My best friend has been sharing his perspectives on the rebuild, and he recently referenced an April 2025 post called On Leadership that echoes throughout the Forward ethos, quoting historian John Ralston Saul that the The Marshall Plan “was not to manage disorder. It was to find a new reality that would make the disorder go away.”

Tying this concept to how we prepare our families for the largest generational wealth transfer in human history, we have not just the opportunity, but the obligation, to ensure our families are well prepared to face what comes next.

Mom and Dad, where is the will? Mom and Dad, where is the trust? Mom and Dad, who is named in your financial and health directives? Mom and Dad, who is the executor? Mom and Dad, are the beneficiaries clear?

This is about process, this is about ensuring the disorder goes away before the chaos, not trying to clean up as / after the estate is settled. This is about Living Your Legacy, not just leaving it. This is about ensuring the tax man, the probate courts, and the government doesn’t take what you have earned. This is about moving our families forward…