"True power comes not from wealth but wisdom and self-awareness cultivated daily."
The
Socrates
Advisory
The Socratic Method
The Socratic Method is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue used to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. Rather than providing direct answers, the method relies on asking a sequence of probing questions to challenge underlying assumptions and expose logical inconsistencies.
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In the context of The Legacy Forum, this approach serves as a powerful advisory tool, helping leaders peel back layers of conventional wisdom to reach deeper truths. By fostering a culture of disciplined inquiry, it transforms complex decision-making into a journey of self-discovery and intellectual rigor. This method ensures that the legacy you build is grounded in clarity, purpose, and unshakeable logic.
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To apply the Socratic Method effectively, we move away from "What should I do?" and toward "What is the truth of the situation?"
The Socrates Advisory Options
Legacy Advisor – (Trusted-Advisor)
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Upon completion of The Foundations of Legacy™ or any other FORUMS, clients are encouraged to remain actively engaged with their Legacy Advisors. In this ongoing role, the Legacy Advisor serves by providing guidance and support through both scheduled meetings and as-needed consultations. The primary objective is to ensure the effective implementation of the client’s Legacy Plan. By cultivating a Trusted-Advisor relationship, clients benefit from the advisor's knowledge and expertise, which facilitates long-term management focused on growth and protection in alignment with Legacy The Legacy Forum™ Business Plan Confidential.
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The Socrates Advisory Forum offers clients the opportunity to schedule a 60-90-minute session with distinguished Legacy Forum™ Advisors. Each appointment includes a session summary and tailored follow-up advice. Prior to the session, clients are required to explain their consultation topic, issue, or question, as clearly as possible. Socrates Advisory session costs vary by engagement. Call or email for a quote.
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The Socratic Method is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue used to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. Rather than providing direct answers, the method relies on asking a sequence of probing questions to challenge underlying assumptions and expose logical inconsistencies.
In the context of The Legacy Forum, this approach serves as a powerful advisory tool, helping leaders peel back layers of conventional wisdom to reach deeper truths. By fostering a culture of disciplined inquiry, it transforms complex decision-making into a journey of self-discovery and intellectual rigor. This method ensures that the legacy you build is grounded in clarity, purpose, and unshakeable logic.
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"True power comes not from wealth but wisdom and self-awareness cultivated daily."
Socrates
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Additional Advisor Options
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Family/Multi-Family Office(s) and Wealth Advisory.
We provide a subscription service for both types of entities, giving them on-demand access to Legacy Forum Advisors. These advisors include specialists in Wealth Psychology as well as our Human and Family Capital approach. We believe this service will demonstrate the benefits of our offerings and help both organizations enhance their work and client relationships.
The Legacy Forum Concierge Advisory
This is a subscription-based service providing subscribers with exclusive access to a select group of Advisors. Subscribers may contact Advisors as an on-call service or schedule meetings with reasonable notice as needed. Benefits include: referrals for specific concerns, discussions about urgent or significant matters, access to The Legacy Forum™ interviews, and availability of our The Forum Soapbox/Statesmen articles and videos. Additionally, each subscriber can schedule one (1) Socrates Advisory Forum during their annual subscription. Those who choose to participate in one of our FORUMS™ events will receive preferred access.
Advisor Companion.
Clients may engage a Legacy Forum™ Advisor to accompany them to events such as speeches, television appearances, board meetings, or personal crises, providing a supportive presence and serving as a sounding board. Advisors are available to travel with clients or meet them at their desired location. (All listed scenarios reflect actual past experiences.)
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Prices vary for each Advisory. Options such as time and meeting virtually or in-person. Some clients have requested more than one Advisor be part of an Advisory. Please call (425) 492-4300 or email enquiries@thelegacyforum.com
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"Wealth does not bring about excellence, but excellence makes wealth and everything else good for men, both individually and collectively."
Socrates
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Examples of The Socratic Method Applied to Succession Issues
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Example 1: The founder of a very successful company is thinking of retiring after fifty years. Retiring after half a century is more than a business exit; it is a profound identity shift. Using the Socratic Method, we can help a founder move past the logistics of selling or pressure of leading and into the clarity of "Legacy."
Here are five tailored Socratic questions for a founder at the 50-year mark:
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On Identity vs. Role: "If you were to walk away tomorrow and never mention the company name again, how would you define your contribution to the world over the last five decades?"
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On the "Vital Organ": "Is the success of this company currently a result of the systems you built, or the gravity of your personal presence—and can the business survive the loss of that gravity?"
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On Intellectual Honesty: "Are you seeking to retire because the work is finished, or because you are afraid the next era of industry requires a version of leadership you no longer wish to provide?"
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On the Nature of Legacy: "If your successor changes the core culture of the company to ensure its survival, have they betrayed your legacy or honored it?"
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On the "Day After": "Does the thought of a blank calendar feel like a hard-earned freedom, or a loss of the 'virtuous struggle' that has defined your self-worth since you began?"
Example 2: The daughter of a very successful founder is thinking of retiring. His daughter has been identified as his successor. For a successor, the Socratic Method is used to bridge the gap between "inheriting a job" and "claiming a mantle." These questions help a daughter distinguish between her father’s shadow and her own light.
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On Authenticity: "Are you accepting this role because you are the most capable person to lead the corporation into its next 50 years, or because you feel a moral obligation to protect your father’s 'child'?"
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On Change vs. Preservation: "If you identify a core process that has been successful for 50 years but is now a liability, do you have the internal permission to dismantle it, or do you feel like a curator in a museum?"
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On the Source of Authority: "When you walk into the boardroom, is your authority derived from your title and lineage, or from a vision for the future that is uniquely yours?"
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On Emotional Debt: "What is the 'price' of this succession? If the company’s needs ever conflict with your father’s personal wishes, which one are you prepared to sacrifice?"
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On Personal Definition: "In 20 years, when people discuss the 'Legacy of the Corporation,' what specific chapters do you want to be known for writing yourself, independent of the founding era?"
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"Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty."
Socrates
The Socrates Advisory Process
The Advisory process has three basic parts to it.
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When you have a problem you need to talk about and work through but need someone who is trained as an Advisor, your best option is to call The Legacy Forum. Our Advisors are not only trained but many have graduate or terminal degrees in psychology, counseling, law, business, leadership and other areas of study that help them as Advisors. Some are just natural Advisors who have had people asking them for advice all their lives. They are also all well trained in our process.
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When you call or contact The Legacy Forum needing advice, our Corporate Concierge will send you an email with a few short questions regarding what you are seeking advice for. We need that so we can select who we believe will likely be the best Advisor for you.
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Step 1. Advisory Application
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Once you have filled out the questions, you will be assigned an Advisor. You will receive a brief Resume and description about who your assigned Advisor is. It is important you feel comfortable and you have a sense that your Advisor can help you.
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You will be quoted a fee for the Advisory. This will be based on how long you believe you need starting at 60 minutes. Other factors are the level of the Advisor is, do you want to meet in person or on Zoom. You will then schedule the best time you and your Advisor agree on. You will then be required to make your agreed fee before you will get a confirmation from your Advisor.
Step 2. The Advisory Session.
You and your Advisor will meet in the format you selected.
Towards the end of your session, your Advisor will summarize your time together and what follow on steps will be or what was a summary of the decision you have made it.
Step 3. Postscript Summation
Within 48 hours, you will receive a written up summary of your session. You will be asked if you agree with the summary or not. You might be asked to rate your Advisory Session.
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The Socrates Advisory is very flexible in terms of where we can meet and how we can connect. Here are a few examples we have been a part of:
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Play golf or Pickleball
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Flying on a client's jet to an earnings call to help with mental clarity and anxiety.
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Three advisors, all with varying backgrounds, helping an entrepreneur determine who should be on his founding team.
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Spending a day with a client and his wife while they were on vacation. The purpose was to help them talk about retirements options.
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One of our Advisors was asked to accompany a Wealth Manager to observe a Family Meeting on an island near Seattle.
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Zoom call scheduled on an almost emergency basis to help a client decide is she needed to leave her current position and take another job.
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​Call The Socrates Advisory today. Why not get expert advice and deal with what you need to deal with. See Below.
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"Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people."
​Socrates
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