Walter Lippman when asked about leadership legacy reflected that “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in others the conviction and will to carry on”.
How do you measure up as a legacy leader?
1. Legacy leaders are remembered more for their interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and their ability to quickly transform a group into a vision driven team.
2. People don’t remember the titles of legacy leaders as much as they remember credibility, influence, compassion, understanding, patience, and integrity.
3. Legacy leaders are courageous. They are willing to stand for what is right and to take risks with a quiet tenacity. They are willing to “go against the flow” to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
4. Legacy leaders look inward before acting outward. They know their motivations, vulnerabilities, and triggers for negative emotions. They are authentic and teachable.
5. Legacy leaders know how and when to be quiet. They ask questions and take the time to research and discover all the details before forming an opinion or taking action.
6. Legacy leaders are teachers. They remember that everyone is growing. They know that each day offers opportunities for continuous improvement, not perfection, and they encourage those they lead to strive for learning.
7. Legacy leaders are approachable. They create safe environments into which others know they can bring concerns or new ideas.
8. Legacy leaders know how to balance managing by influence and managing by authority.
9. Legacy leaders are empowering. They ensure the success of those around them. They plan for and train their successors. They inspire others to stretch, grow, through support and positioning others for success.
10. Legacy leaders don’t build more followers, they build more leaders.
11. Legacy leaders are visionary. They visualize tomorrow’s possibilities, see the organizations potential and then bite size the steps to allow their people the opportunity to experience small successes on their journey to vision attainment.
12. Legacy leaders set an example of excellence not perfection.
A legacy of leadership is what stays long after you have left the position. How did you measure up?
Until next time,
Stephanie
Ready, Set, Engage Action Cards: www.TheLeaderBuilderRecommends.com
April 29, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Interesting traits. Have you read A Leader’s Legacy by Jim Kouzes?
October 10, 2009 at 4:06 pm
I wish that these traits could be diseminated down to africa for both the porported leaders and their cronies to really know the divid between what they are doing and what they have left undone.
Thanks
yours faithfully
Chapp Jumbo Jonathan
October 10, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I am genuinely interested and commend your worth and your motivational insights and would want you to mentor me through credible leadership.
Thanks
yours faithfully
Chapp Jumbo Jonathan
December 9, 2009 at 7:20 pm
What are your thoughts on preparing a team when the leader is ready to retire after 20+ years? We are part of a larger system and subject to those demands, we’ve had our ups and downs, coming and going of team members, but the leader has been constant and we all believe we do great work.
What should I consider, invite, do, etc?
Thanks
June 24, 2011 at 6:50 am
This is awesome. African leaders must read this. Leadership,quality leadership is our greatest need. We have so many monsters on seats,terrorizing their subordinates. We need leaders,we need mentors like you. Plz always send me leadership materials through my mail,i reachout to future leaders-the youths.
December 26, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Hello Stephanie,
A friend( Ms Frankie Perry), and I have been asked to co-author a book for health sector leaders (mostly hospital executives) by the Health Administration Press (HAP)
the working title of the book is “Leadership that Makes a Difference: Creating A Career of Impact”
The draft table of contents can be sent for your review, and we are hoping to have your permission, of course with proper attribution, via email for use of your Feb 25 2009 terrific 12 legacy leader traits in our chapter 8 Celebration…
If this acceptable, please indicate your permission via response to this email, and how you would like the citation to appear.
Thank you so much for the contributions you are making to leadership development!
Jim
cell 612 703 4687