So many awards! The wall of the establishment was lined with plaques, awards, accolades that stretched far and wide. Each corner was likewise speckled with glistening trophies. Wow, I thought to myself, these are amazing! This many accomplishments made by one person in a lifetime? Extraordinary!
But, the sad truth is that you cannot take all that praise with you when you depart from this life. Of course, you have your reputation and records that will live on but what can be said of how you passed along what you know? Who can raise their hands and testify that the process to achieve that record-making has been passed along to someone else?
While I appreciate hard work and striving for the prize, it seems more important that our leaders strive to build a legacy and simultaneously share how that was done. Take for example the Marsalis family of jazz artists such as father Ellis Marsalis and sons Wynton Marsalis and Brandford Marsalis. Or, how about if we look at the legacy built with Aaron Neville of the Neville Brothers, well-known country and blues singers, and son Ivan? They have created generations of musicians who pride themselves on sharing their talents and tricks of the trade with the next generation. Additionally, there are countless actors like Drew Barrymore who learned from renowned actors in their family how to master the silver screen.
With just a few key steps, I believe that our leaders can be more well-rounded in not just plastering their walls with “the greatest” and the “best of breed” awards but also a roadmap, secret handbook, and owner’s manual to successful leadership.
It was once said that “the best way to predict your future is to create it.” This is right on point! If even one leader took time to underscore the important, outlined the dangerous, specify the necessary, and outline the essential then our leaders would likely be better prepared.
Until that time, we must re-assess our values on what enduring qualities will really withstand time: our reputations or the legacy-minded leaders we leave behind.
-Dawn McCoy, author of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success
