This episode of Imperfect Leaders is about leadership and legacy: how parents of autistic and neurodiverse children think about the long arc of their family’s happiness, not just this year or next, but decades into the future, even after the parents are gone.

Jeff’s guest is Mike Duckworth, Managing Director of the Duckworth Hagerty Group at Merrill Lynch. Mike and Jeff share a common passion: helping parents plan for their family’s long-term wellbeing and legacy, and helping them build a community of support around their children that can endure beyond the parents’ lifetime. It’s the same territory Jeff explores with business leaders at the L3 Retreat.

Mike’s work is less about short-term financial planning and more about the long arc of a family’s life—getting clear on what “a good life” means for everyone in the system. Together, they talk about how emotional intelligence, sharp listening skills, clear values, and honest planning can move families from fear to agency as they design support structures, relationships, and opportunities that will still be there for their children when they are no longer around.

What you’ll learn in this episode

Why thinking of yourself as the “CEO of a care enterprise” can change how you lead your family, regardless of your resources.
How to define “a good life” and turn it into resilient, long-term plans.
Why listening and emotional intelligence are core leadership skills in high-stakes family decisions.
How facing mortality and legacy can move families from fear to intentional action in the “after us” years.