Creating a Leadership Legacy

Creating a leadership legacy may seem lofty or unrealistic at first glance but I can assure you it’s not. Since leaving my role in manufacturing in late 2014, I’ve spoken with dozens of long-term employees (many of whom had since retired) who credited Kevin Arnold for his effort in providing them with a progressively safer workplace throughout their careers. I’ve also had conversations with numerous former coworkers who have shared similar praise for the impact Terry and Rod had with them. If we were having this conversation in person, I could go on for as long as you’d listen, sharing how I was able to help the teams I’ve worked with since because of the mentorship each of them provided for me. I’d like to think that at least a few of the folks I’ve attempted to pass some of that along to over the years would echo a bit of that about me, and I’ve already been fortunate enough to witness the difference folks like Jake, Mike, and Steven have made with team members they’ve started mentoring.

I’ve definitely had the privilege of growing through others’ success, both those who mentored me as well as some I’ve had the chance to mentor since. In complete transparency, I feel a heavy obligation to do all I can every single day to provide anyone who will listen with as much of what I’ve learned from my mentors as I possibly can. Many have invested into me far more than I’ve felt like I deserved so I see it as a duty to pay it forward. Whether I’m correct in thinking this way or not, I never want to risk causing someone to miss fulfilling their potential because I didn’t do as much as I’m capable of to share the lessons I’ve been blessed to learn.

For a few years while serving on the President’s Advisory Council for Maxwell Leadership, Cindy and I were part of a small group responsible for interviewing nominees and selecting the annual (at the time) John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award recipient. As amazing as some of those nominees were, my biggest take-away from being involved was that leadership transformation isn’t something reserved for a select few. Anyone willing to engage in the process of actively mentoring others can be transformational. 

Just like the work Kevin did to create a safer work environment still benefits people in the facility he worked at years after he retired, as well as in the places the folks he mentored have worked since, the work we do in developing others creates a leadership legacy that outlasts any of our individual achievements. The relationships I’ve been blessed to have with so many great mentors have played a crucial role in unlocking my leadership potential. Intentionally working to pass that on is what creates the lasting legacy. My challenge for you is to commit to mentoring at least one (more) person within the next 30 days. As my friend Mark says, you’ll never know this side of heaven how much impact you’re making. But don’t ever let it go to your head. Humility is key and we’ll work through some of the best examples I’ve ever seen soon.