by Vickie Austin
At some point in the arc of a leader’s life, he or she starts to think about the legacy they want to leave behind.
In the corporate world, this might look like someone who was able to set a clear vision that inspired and empowered employees to do their best work. In government or nonprofit work, leaders who leave a legacy may do so with encouraging words or phrases that last.
Forbes lists these principles of leaders who are intent on building a legacy beyond their time at the helm:
- Believe in human capital. Staying people-focused is key to a leader’s credibility.
- Keep your people engaged. They want to be able to contribute their own ideas and resources, but they can’t do that if they’re checked out.
- Set the bar high. Be an example of excellence that you want to model for others.
- Be crystal clear about the outcomes expected.
- Inspire through uncertainty. Use mistakes or unexpected events to demonstrate strength and agility.
- Give feedback. We all want to get better. Make your feedback quick, useful and as close to the observation as possible.
From the leadership perch
If we were to ask people who they admire as a leader, the answers could range from political figures to coaches and teachers. The principles are the same: give people room to grow and develop and help them discover the best in themselves. From the leader’s perspective, they want to invest in people who will become successors over time to the company, industry or profession they share.
That’s where mentoring comes in. Bringing up a new generation of leaders takes the investment of current leaders who can spend time offering insights to those on their way up the ladder. A formal mentoring program, designed to help someone grow professionally and personally, requires a commitment from both to meet, talk and learn from each other. Mentoring isn’t just giving advice: it’s offering a safe place to ask questions, make mistakes and learn.
Who’s your most admired leader?
From the days of the late Jack Welch, the scion of General Electric, to current business leaders like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, leaders come in all shapes and sizes.
One leader who carried her business leadership beyond her time as CEO of PepsiCo was Indra Nooyi. An Indian-born American business executive, Nooyi was chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018. She continued her role as a leader in various pursuits related to environment, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.
Others point to Steve Jobs as a leader who left a legacy. He’s famous for his phrase, “Let’s go put a dent in the universe.” His company was and still is known for its impeccable design, and he left a legacy to fulfill.
