Profiles In Leadership - Taking The Right Steps

Chapter 12: Legacy – The Ultimate Leadership Test

L egacy is the ultimate measure of leadership success. It is a leader's lasting impact on their organization, the people they lead, and the world they influence. While accomplishments, accolades, and milestones are significant, a leader’s true legacy lies in the systems, culture, and relationships they leave behind. Creating a meaningful legacy requires a commitment to the entire leadership journey—embracing challenges, building trust, and investing in people. While shortcuts may offer temporary wins, they ultimately diminish the depth and breadth of a leader’s impact. This final chapter will explore how legacy defines leadership, why it matters, and how to build an endured legacy.

What is Leadership Legacy?

A leader’s legacy is the sum of the values, decisions, and contributions they leave behind. It reflects not only what they achieved but also how they achieved it. Legacy is about the long-term effects of leadership, including: • The People : How leaders have influenced, developed, and inspired others.

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