You want to ensure your legacy...
Leadership is about more than just making decisions and delegating tasks – it's about leaving a lasting impression on the organizations and the lives of the people you work with. But that's easier said than done. Leaders often face challenges, like conflicting visions, limited resources, and resistance from others, that make it hard to create a legacy they can look back on with pride.
Five common concerns of leaders thinking about legacy
- It sounds good, but it's a vague notion: You need to be clear what you want to leave and what you want to be remembered for.
- Competing visions: Potential successors may resist, making it harder to make a difference.
- No time to spare: Day-to-day demands make it hard to focus on legacy building.
- Not enough support: To really leave a legacy, you need the resources to make changes happen. Without them, it can be tough to make your mark.
- Fear of being grandiose: This one isn't a problem for everyone (!) but many people will say to themselves, "Who am I to be thinking about my legacy?" Such thoughts needlessly hold them back from making a lasting impact.
L.E.A.D. For Legacy framework
The good news is that with the right approach you can overcome these barriers and leave a legacy that you'll be proud of. In my forthcoming book – L.E.A.D. for Legacy – I interview leaders with enviable legacies and distill the learning in a form that other leaders can also use. The leaders range from CEOs of public companies, and founders who made successful exits to ambitious mid-career executives still very much in the building phase. The book's not ready yet, but the framework is.
L.E.A.D. For Legacy Framework
L.E.A.D. is our four-step methodology for building and leaving a proud leadership legacy:
- Listen and Learn: Build relationships and seek feedback. Do more co-creation.
- Embody Your Values: Lead by example and transmit the values that will sustain the organization.
- Act with Purpose: A great legacy doesn't just happen. Clarify you vision and engage people's commitment.
- Develop Others: Mentor potential successors, provide tools and resources, and encourage them to take the lead. Foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
By attending to all the elements of the L.E.A.D. methodology, leaders can build a legacy that they can be proud of, leaving a lasting impact on their organization and the world around them.
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