Will you be known for your great leadership legacy?
I’ve been thinking about this. Your leadership legacy is how people remember you. It’s what they think and feel about you when you leave the room—today, and tomorrow.
When this topic comes up in the organizations where I consult, we discuss the elements of a lasting leadership legacy.
5 Elements of a Great Leadership Legacy
- Vision: a leadership vision is a testimony to the leader’s core values and sets the tone for direction and company operations. Leaders who are able to address issues conceptually, think strategically and creatively, and translate complex concepts into reality create a legacy vision.
- Self-awareness: leaders who are self-aware are sensitive to their blind spots. Great leaders are curious and able to gain new skills and knowledge to address challenges.
- Relationships: leaders who have the desire and ability to understand others—not just what they say, but the meaning and feelings behind the words—enhance relationships, creativity, and collaboration. When we feel connected to others, especially in a work environment, we experience greater security, are more willing to share confidences, feel encouraged to take risks, and can support one another freely.
- Perseverance: with the right knowledge (wisdom) and attitude (emotional resilience, realistic optimism, commitment and celebration of small wins), great leaders persevere to achieve positive results.
- Leadership pipeline: great leaders take responsibility for building their organization’s leadership pipeline. They hold themselves accountable in the process of growing leaders, and recognize and support their developmental needs.
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”
Dolly Parton
What do you think?
As a leader, will you be known for your great leadership legacy?
How strong is your leadership pipeline?
I’ll dive in to this in my next post. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me here, on LinkedIn, or give me a call: 561-582-6060.
