“True success isn’t about chasing someone else’s definition of achievement—it’s about discovering who you are, defining what happiness means to you, and having the courage to lead your own life toward it.”
— Donzel A. Leggett
In a world where personal success often gets confused with external validation, Donzel A. Leggett is on a mission to redefine what it truly means to “make your destiny happen.” After more than three decades as a global executive leading teams across continents, Leggett distilled a lifetime of leadership, resilience, and hard-won insight into his groundbreaking framework—the Destiny Development Delta (D³) Model. His philosophy? Every person is the CEO of their own life, capable of shaping their future through clarity, accountability, and authentic action. His work bridges the gap between ambition and well-being, offering a roadmap not just for achievement, but for fulfillment.
In this exclusive interview with The Advisor’s Stacey Chillemi, Leggett opens up about the lessons behind his new book, Make Your Destiny Happen, and the journey that inspired it. From corporate boardrooms to personal reflection, he shares how to uncover your authentic self, design a destiny that feels aligned, and activate daily habits that create real, lasting change. Through warmth, humor, and unshakable truth, Leggett reminds us that leadership starts from within—and that our greatest power lies in choosing to lead our own lives with purpose.
Thank you so much for joining us, Donzel! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Absolutely, Stacey—thank you for having me. I’ve spent over three decades in corporate America, the last twenty leading large, complex teams across the globe. What I learned, from boardrooms to factory floors and from São Paulo to Shanghai, is that people everywhere want the same thing: to be seen as individuals with agency and a meaningful path forward. I recently turned 57 and released Make Your Destiny Happen to put those lessons—about leadership, life planning, and well-being—into a practical framework anyone can use to build success on their own terms.
For readers new to your work, what is the Destiny Development Delta (D³) Model—in simple terms—and why does it work where others stall?
D³ blends three engines: personal leadership transformation, authentic life design, and disciplined activation. First, you claim your agency and step into the role of “leader of your life.” Second, you define your version of success—not someone else’s—and build a concrete, written life plan. Third, you activate that plan through routines, accountability, and sustained action. Many approaches study celebrity outliers and copy the surface traits; D³ starts at your core, then gives you a step-by-step roadmap to execute with integrity and balance.
If someone feels stuck today, what’s the first small action they can take in the next 24 hours to spark momentum?
Create honest, emotional contact with yourself. List your real strengths, gaps, wins you’re proud of, and moments you wish you’d handled differently—then accept the whole picture. From there, push your horizon forward 10, 20, even 40 years. Ask: What do I want my life, family, impact, and legacy to look like? In more than 10,000 one-on-one conversations, fewer than 10% could clearly answer “Where do you want to be in 10 years?” Clarity is the ignition switch for momentum.
Why is identity beyond our titles so pivotal to fulfillment?
Because titles are seasons. Jobs change, kids grow up, roles evolve. If your identity is only a title, you’re vulnerable when that label fades. When you know who you are underneath—values, standards, purpose—you can navigate transitions without losing yourself, and your choices become clearer and calmer.
You often share lessons from your father. What did he teach you about authentic happiness?
My dad and I were opposites. I’m ambitious; he lived simply and on his terms. Near the end of his life, I asked if he was happy. He said, “I have everything I need right here.” That grounded contentment—defined by your standards, not the world’s scoreboard—informs my work. Know yourself, love yourself, choose what you want, and live it fully. That’s success.
Many listeners juggle jobs, kids, and stress. How do we shift from circumstances to ownership in real life?
There’s no magic hack; there are aligned choices. During years of 60% travel, I still read bedtime stories, helped with homework, coached, stayed fit, and supported my wife. It took early mornings, trade-offs, and intentional recovery—music, pleasure reading—not just grinding. Ownership means deciding what matters and restructuring your life to serve it.
What’s one time audit that can change everything immediately?
Reverse your phone-to-growth ratio. Most people scroll ~2.5 hours daily but spend under 15 minutes on development. Flip it. Give yourself two hours for learning, training, reading, or reflection—and cap scrolling at 15 minutes. Your energy, clarity, and progress will jump.
Motivation fades. How do you keep going when the grind sets in?
Gamify consistency with tiny streaks and small rewards. “Three workouts this week = Friday slice of pizza.” Intrinsic purpose drives the long haul, but micro-rewards help you move through monotony while you build the identity of a consistent finisher.
You describe three common “stuck” patterns. What are they—and what breaks them?
- Dandelion Seed: blown by others’ opinions—no plan, just drift.
- Hamster on the Flywheel: working hard on an inauthentic plan—busy, not advancing.
- Ostrich with Head in the Sand: fear and uncertainty create paralysis while the world moves on.
Breaker: do the inner work, craft an authentic life plan, then activate it. Authenticity → real hope → assured belief.
How can listeners rewrite their self-story so new habits actually stick?
Craft a Personal Brand Statement that inspires action. Mine is: “Strive to be the best and control your own destiny.” It was born from realizing, as a college athlete, that “good” wasn’t good enough—I could have led more. Your brand should be short, energizing, and decision-guiding. Post it where you see it and let it filter your daily choices.
Walk us through a seven-day starter plan that anyone can try to experience a quick win.
Set aside one focused hour this week:
- Write five words that describe you today.
- Write 5–10 words that describe who you want to be.
- Draft one sentence you want others to say about you.
- Combine these into a two-sentence Personal Brand that makes you both smile and stretch.
Place it somewhere visible and make one aligned decision each day for seven days. That’s activation in motion.
Do metrics really matter—or just motivation? What should people track weekly to know they’re on the right path?
Metrics matter—especially behavior inputs. Track health (days moved, minutes trained, sleep), growth (30 minutes of learning daily—right now I’m studying how AI and blockchain actually work), and activation (did you complete your planned actions?). In the book, I share a Life Plan Activation Scorecard to keep you honest and encouraged.
How does a healthy personal life translate into better career outcomes?
Directly and measurably. Long before it was common, I built flexibility into my teams, especially for young parents. The result? Higher quality, timeliness, innovation, and engagement. When people are resourced at home, they show up at work with their best thinking and energy. Start with personal well-being; performance follows.
When setbacks hit, what’s your reset protocol so we can bounce back without losing progress?
Reframe immediately: there’s no failure, only feedback. Ask, “What is this teaching me?” Adjust and iterate. In the Big Ten I often faced opponents 100 pounds heavier. I got knocked down, learned, and returned stronger. Resilience is a practiced identity built through continuous learning and quick resets.
High achievers flirt with burnout. What boundary tools help scale results without sacrificing yourself?
Decide your non-negotiables up front and choose environments that honor them. I set geographic and family boundaries—even if it slowed promotions. For heavy-travel roles, my wife and I co-designed a workable plan. If, after sincere effort, you can’t find equilibrium, start an exit plan. Boundaries protect both your results and your humanity.
What single idea from Make Your Destiny Happen would you love every reader to practice this week?
Claim the role: You are the leader of your life. Step one is deep self-acceptance—warts and all. Step two is defining what you truly want and what you’re willing to do. Then use a simple routine to activate daily. Leadership of self is the keystone habit.
What would you say to those in truly constrained or controlled circumstances?
Some people are held down or unsafe; agency is not equally available. That’s why those of us who do have agency must use it—first to elevate ourselves, then to create pathways for others. Help one person; they may help ten; ten can become a thousand. Personal leadership scales positive change.
Beyond the book, where can listeners explore more of your teachings?
The Make Your Destiny Happen Petite Podcast delivers 5–6 minute lessons—each anchored by a story about my dad. I also run live webinars and keynotes where we go deeper on the D³ Model and, crucially, on activation mechanics.
What services do you offer for individuals and organizations?
Keynotes, workshops, leadership development, and one-to-one coaching—delivered with high energy, optimism, and the truth. We focus on authentic success, measurable activation, and culture change that sticks.
Where can people find your book—and in what formats?
Make Your Destiny Happen is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers in hardcover and e-book. The audiobook is in production. My website has direct links, tools, and updates.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Visit MakeYourDestinyHappen.com for book details, tools, and podcast episodes, and DestinyDevDelta.com for speaking, coaching, and programs. You can also search “Donzel A. Leggett” on Amazon or major booksellers to find the book quickly.
Donzel, this has been insightful and genuinely energizing. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and practical tools with our community.
Thank you, Stacey. I appreciate your thoughtful questions and the welcoming space you create. It’s been a joy—and I’m grateful for the chance to support your audience on their journey.
