"No one can go back
and make a new start, but anyone can start from here and make a brand new
end"... It's never too late to build a leadership legacy you'll be proud of. At the end of your current position, after your academic/professional
career, at the end of your life... what message would you like to be remembered
by? These questions go a long way in shaping the person we choose to be and the message we would like to leave behind.
Leadership, as a topic,
has been a major point of discussion for centuries and we're still redefining
the concept, learning its diverse array of theories and experimenting on what
styles best fit our identity. The dimension of your current role isn't as important as leaving a message for others that inspires achievement,
improvement and sustainability.
As an older sibling, a
parent, teacher, a manager or CEO, regardless of our scale of influence, we are all leaders and the earlier we embrace this role and learn as much as possible,
the better. Be it short term, long term or even over a lifetime... any activity we carry out should be an opportunity to be a positive example to others.
I've always believed in
beginning with the end in mind. Having a vision aids our execution
along the way. Focus on the message, play with the concept and eventually your
heart will settle on a brand message that fits.
The greatest leaders have
shaped their legacies this way, building ideals that inspire others; Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, Obama: Hope, Einstein: Intuition
and imagination, Steve Jobs: Innovation & Design, my father: Education and
Faith, and many others who have blazed the trails of success and taught us how to be better people and inspiring leaders.
Here are my 5 essential
elements necessary to building the ultimate leadership legacy:
1. Consistent Message:
A common Latin saying
goes as such; "Repetition is the mother of learning". Practice
whatever ideals you want to be remembered by and make sure you believe in them
100%... and if that single model, be it tenacity, attitude, grit, integrity, does not fit so well as your vanguard mantra, then change it... but it's very important to
pay attention to your brand message as well as its growth and development.
2. Define Your Expertise:
To build anything that
will last, impeccable quality is paramount. You know what they say about a
"Jack of all trades"! Your work, your job, your responsibility to
delivering quality products speaks volumes. Look for a niche you can perform
better than anyone else and apply yourself to it. We're all unique and there are certain assignments that best fit our skill set other than others. History shows that people who have left behind dynamite legacies are those who found something they loved doing and applied a good amount of enthusiasm.
3. Execute Your Strategy
Regardless of Convenience:
To build a true image
that stands the test of time does not happen by coincidence. You will require
the necessary ingredients of champions; discipline, tenacity, persistence
and patience. Of course, if these characteristics were so easy to embrace then
everyone will be a champion. We must remember that there is a gap between
knowing and doing and the more we actually bridge this gap the closer we are to
becoming the leader we hope to be.
4. Focus on Doing the
Best You Can, Not Perfection:
Of course, we say it all the time,
"To err is human" or "No one is perfect"... and no one is
expected be be... but what is most important, all the time, is to deliver on
our word. Even delivering on our expectations or that of others 100% of the
time might seem like an impossible feat, - One helpful tip in this area is to focus for five
minutes: Starting is the hardest part; for your toughest tasks. This way you don't waste time procrastinating and once you begin, be patient enough to check, recheck and double check your work.
5. Human Capital:
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success" - Henry Ford; the first to apply assembly line manufacturing to mass production of affordable automobiles. He understood that the greatest asset of any organization was not the financial resources or latest technology, but human capital. As an individual, what
makes us better people is appreciating the importance of relationships, both professional and personal, and valuing life itself. It doesn't matter whether
you're dealing with top talent or not, everyone deserves respect and courtesy - Politeness is to humans, like warmth is to wax.
A very inspiring example of someone with incredible leadership legacy is that of Dr. Randy Pausch; who is popularly known for delivering "the Last Lecture" at Carnegie Mellon University. What I learned most from his story is to live the right way and enabling the dreams of others.
To view the full version of "Last Lecture" at Carnegie Mellon University on Youtube,
click here
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Photo Courtesy:
http://lcmsseventeen.blogspot.com/2010/03/beginning-with-end-in-mind.html
http://influence-people-brian.blogspot.com/2011/04/consistency-vs-authority-which-to-use.html
http://lewishistoricalsociety.com/wiki2011/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=126
Video Courtesy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNTEGQCAbyI&feature=related
