"I want to ensure my 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 individuals 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.
Six concerns of leaders when they think about legacy
- Not knowing what you want: It can be tough to figure out what kind of legacy you want to leave and what you want to be remembered for.
- Pushback from others: When you try to change things up, some people 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.
- The politics: Sometimes it's hard to navigate the power dynamics and political landscape of your organization, making it challenging to make a difference.
- 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.
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.
The 4-step L.E.A.D. methodology explains how to use the tools I introduced in Start WIth What Works and Committed Action to ensure you leave a proud leadership legacy:
- Listen and Learn: Listen to your team, stakeholders, and customers to gain insights and knowledge. Continuously learn and stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in your industry.
- Embody Your Values: Lead by example and embody the values that you want to instill in your team and organization. Build a culture of integrity, respect, and accountability.
- Act with Purpose: Act decisively and with purpose. Use your vision and values as a guide, and make decisions that align with them.
- Develop Others: Invest in your team's development and growth. Provide mentorship, training, and opportunities for them to develop their skills and expertis
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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