Retirement and legacy are far from the minds of leaders who are asked to deliver immediate results in today’s fast-moving world. Even so, having an eye on the future beyond the active career years is crucial to ensure the positive contributions, values, and impact endure even after leaving the corner office with a view. This perspective is not only about preserving achievements; it’s about building a lasting leadership legacy that is meaningful.
“If you’re going to live, leave behind a legacy. Make an impact on the world that can never be erased.” – Maya Angelou, Civil Rights Activist
(by Aaron Ngui)
What is Leadership Legacy?
A leadership legacy transcends the active years of professional life and continues to resonate with others. This is more than the positions, titles, and achievements held prior to beginning a new chapter in life. It’s about creating a lasting impact that endures beyond one’s career.
Examples:
- A mentor: One who inspires and guides young professionals, leaving a generation of empowered individuals who continue to make a positive impact.
- A community leader: A local leader who mobilizes their community to address social issues, leaving a legacy of a stronger, more resilient community.
- An innovator: One who revolutionizes the workflow of his own business and that of the whole industry.
Consider a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on the memory of public figures after death. It found that artists are remembered more than other notable individuals, such as politicians and athletes. The hypothesis behind this phenomenon is that artists leave behind a lasting body of work that continues to be accessed and appreciated. In contrast, the actions of politicians, athletes, and others are often tied to their lives, and interest in them tends to decline once they are no longer able to actively contribute.
This study supports the position that legacy goes beyond the accomplishments of a lifetime. It is the capability to continue to influence, impact, and inspire others even after moving on from formal leadership capacities.
Benefits of a Strong Leadership Legacy
- Establishes lasting influence: Ensures the values and vision of the leader continue to guide decisions and drive action long after they have transitioned to focus on other areas of life. Influential leadership is not only about creating results for today, but also about empowering others for tomorrow.
- Impacts communities and organizations: Leaders who desire to build a legacy of their own are driven to continue their contributions to the communities they live in. Many still aspire to expand their professional influence even as they transition from active corporate roles to advisory or consultancy functions. In this, ITD World’s LETs Coach Golden Years (LCGY) initiative supports leaders who want to build a lasting and meaningful legacy by positively impacting the people around them.
- Inspires upcoming generations: Leaders whose vision and values resonate set a powerful example for future generations to emulate. Their actions become a blueprint for leading with focus, integrity, and purpose. This ensures the values and practices that inspire others continue to flourish and enrich lives.
“No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” – Taylor Swift, Multiple Grammy Award Winner
Key Elements of a Strong Leadership Legacy
- Values and Principles
- Core Beliefs: Leaders with strong values and principles have a clear sense of what they stand for. These beliefs guide their decisions, actions, and interactions with others.
- Ethical Compass: Their values act as an ethical compass, ensuring they make choices that align with their beliefs, even in difficult situations.
- Inspiring Others: When leaders embody their values, they inspire others to do the same. Their actions become a model for others to follow.
- Mentorship and Development
- Investing in the Future: Mentorship is about investing time and energy in developing the next generation of leaders.
- Sharing Knowledge and Experience: Pass on one’s knowledge, skills, and experiences, helping others grow and develop.
- Creating a Legacy of Leaders: By mentoring others, leaders create a ripple effect, ensuring their legacy lives on through the success of their mentees.
- Innovation and Creativity
- Fostering a Culture of Innovation: Create an environment where new ideas are encouraged and celebrated.
- Challenging the Status Quo: They are not afraid to challenge the status quo and explore new ways of doing things.
- Driving Progress: Innovation and creativity are essential for progress and keeping organizations competitive.
- Social Responsibility
- Giving Back: Leaders with a strong sense of social responsibility give back to their communities and make a positive impact on society.
- Sustainability: They prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility in their business practices.
- Ethical Business Practices: They conduct business ethically and with integrity, considering the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders.
- Authenticity and Integrity
- Being Genuine: Authentic leaders are true to themselves and their values. They are not afraid to be vulnerable and show their true selves.
- Building Trust: Authenticity and integrity build trust and respect among colleagues, employees, and other stakeholders.
- Leading by Example: Authentic leaders lead by example, demonstrating the behaviors and attitudes they expect from others.
How to Build a Meaningful Leadership Legacy
Moving from being actively involved in leadership to a new chapter in life may seem daunting. To mitigate such feelings, reframe this transition as an opportunity to redefine the approaches to make a positive impact. Such a process requires intentional self-reflection, planning, and action. Consider the following steps to start creating a legacy that matters:
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Defining leadership purpose and vision
A legacy starts with understanding the purpose – the “why” behind the person’s desire to lead. Answering the following questions can aid in defining, and redefining what someone’s leadership purpose and vision can be:
- (i) What do you want to be remembered for?
- (ii) What values do you want to stand for?
- (iii) What impact do you want to create?
Once the answers are clear, crafting a compelling statement that encompasses the vision and purpose serves as a roadmap for decisions, actions, and strategies to drive a meaningful leadership legacy.
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Coach, mentor, and develop future leaders
One of the most impactful ways to create a leadership legacy is by investing in the growth of others. Coaching and mentoring allow leaders to share their wisdom, experiences, and insights with those who will carry on their values and vision. Developing a pipeline of future leaders ensures influence is extended beyond the leader’s tenure. This fosters continuity and growth in the organization or community.
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Cultivate a coaching culture
A coaching culture focuses on continuous development to drive sustainable growth. In cultivating such an environment, leaders empower their teams to take ownership of their development and drive high performance. Such a culture amplifies your impact and embeds leadership values deeply into the fabric of the organization.
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Drive sustainable impact and community engagement
A leadership legacy is not confined to the immediate circle of a leader. It extends to how they affect their community and the broader world. Engaging in activities that drive sustainable impact and community building, such as philanthropy, volunteer work, and thought leadership are crucial building blocks for a meaningful and lasting leadership legacy. Demonstrate commitment to positive change with actions that inspire others to follow suit.
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Leave a legacy of values and principles
It’s not just about what was achieved, but how it was achieved. A values-based legacy focuses on the principles that guide decisions and interactions. Identifying the core values and actively living them out in daily actions is vital. When leaders model integrity, empathy, and purpose-driven leadership, these qualities become part of the legacy that comes after.
“Other teams win and are happy, but it’s not the same. The identity is lacking. In football the result is an impostor. You can do things really, really well but not win. There’s something greater than the result, more lasting – a legacy.” – Xavi Hernandez, World Cup Winner for Spain
Overcoming Challenges in Building a Leadership Legacy
The journey of building a leadership legacy that endures can be difficult. It is often challenging to maintain influence and relevance when moving away from being actively involved in leading people and organizations. Here are three strategies to use when faced with challenges.
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Transitioning from corporate roles to advisory or consultancy functions
Moving from an active leadership role to an advisory position can be a challenging transition. Nonetheless, this stage offers opportunities to coach and mentor others through strategic consulting or board roles. Doing so allows leaders to continue making a difference while leaving space for others to step up.
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Navigating the emotional journey of transition
Transitioning from an active leadership role to a retirement or advisory position can bring a mix of emotions, including uncertainty, loss of identity, and even anxiety about the future. Acknowledging these feelings is crucial to effectively navigate this change. Leaders can benefit from exploring these emotions through self-reflection, mindfulness practices, or seeking guidance from those who have embraced the journey. Embracing this emotional journey allows leaders to reframe their perspectives, recognize opportunities for growth, and approach the next chapter of life with renewed purpose and confidence.
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Staying relevant post-retirement
Many leaders worry about staying relevant. A key move to maintaining influence is to engage in thought leadership. This can be done through speaking engagements, contributing to industry discussions, or writing. By sharing expertise, insights, knowledge, and wisdom, leaders continue to shape conversations that inspire. Some approaches include regularly publishing insights on industry trends; continuing to stay engaged and network with others on professional social media; and collaborating on research or white papers in a field of the leaders’ expertise.
“The need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence, and contribution.” – Stephen R. Covey, Educator & Author
Start Building Your Leadership Legacy with “Let’s Coach Golden Years”
The Let’s Coach Golden Years (LCGY) initiative provides the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful impact beyond retirement and continue your leadership journey. Led by ITD World CEO Dr. Peter Chee, this approach offers personalized coaching, mentoring, and the chance to contribute to a community of senior leaders driven by the desire to leave a profoundly meaningful legacy.
Redefine your golden years and transform your future now. Join the Let’s Coach Golden Years initiative today to start building a legacy that matters. Book a complimentary consultation with the remark “Golden Years” to ensure your golden years are your most impactful yet.
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffet, Billionaire Investor
Other resources you might be interested in:
- Transparent Leadership: Finding the Right Balance
- Creative Leadership: Trigger Innovative Approaches for Breakthrough Results
- Human Leadership in a Digital World: Skills & Strategies
