Leadership and Legacy

I recently read an article encouraging leaders to think often about their leadership legacy.

The article stated, “And a legacy takes time to build so the sooner you define it and think about it, the higher your odds are of successfully doing it.”

It went on to say, “We want to improve the world beyond our immediate span of control. That’s why proactively thinking about your legacy is so critical.”

When I think of the great leaders I have been blessed to work with, I could not disagree more. I don’t think the great ones think about their legacy at all. They simply go to work, roll up their sleeves, and give the day their best effort.

When all is said and done, I think the best leaders do three things:

• They remain life-long learners in their business. They know there is so much to learn about their work and they strive to learn every day.
• They have great energy and they consistently give their best effort. They don’t give effort periodically; they practice consistency of effort.
• Most importantly, they care about the people in their charge beyond the narrow confines of a work-place. And those working for him/her know that care is genuine.

I believe that because great leaders are so busy spending their time working on the above three concepts, they literally don’t have time to think about their legacy. They are too busy doing what counts.

At the end of the day, great leaders don’t concern themselves with their legacy. Others think about and often honor their legacy but the leaders themselves don’t take the time to do so.