Leaving a Legacy

I watched the Kennedy Center Honors show on television a while back. I like this one better than the other awards shows because these recognitions are given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to the culture. The recent honorees included Lorne Michaels, Bette Midler, Berry Gordy, and Joni Mitchell.

I was struck by the tribute speeches because they all tended to focus less on the art these people created, and more on the impacts they had on the people around them. Their legacies were not just defined by the songs, movies, and shows they made. They were defined by the people they mentored and the other artists they helped along the way. Many of them gave opportunities to up-and-coming artists even when it wasn’t obvious that they possessed the talent to deserve it.

This is a demonstration of true leadership. A leader’s legacy is not just comprised of successful ventures, large organizations, and beautiful buildings. It is the sum of the positive impacts they leave on the people that enter their orbit over a lifetime of leadership. Who are you helping to grow and develop right now? How will others define your leadership legacy?