Legacy: More Than What You Leave Behind

The Definition Falls Short 

When you look up "legacy" in the Oxford English Dictionary, you'll find definitions like "something that is a result of events in the past" or "a situation that has developed as a result of past actions and decisions." Sure, these definitions are technically accurate, but they’re missing something crucial. They don't capture the emotional richness that exists when we talk about building a legacy. 

When we use legacy colloquially, we often mean something fuller. We mean the positive, lasting impact we hope to make; the character of our achievements; the life-defining message we leave behind. 

Legacy isn’t just a situation or a thing (which feels way too small), rather it’s a sustained throughline that outlasts a singular person or event. 

The Everyday Work of Legacy 

Not too long ago, I was listening to The Heirloom podcast hosted by Josh Nowell and Jim Rasberry. And guest Erin Napier (co-host of HGTV’s Home Town, artist, storyteller) made some reflections on legacy that stuck with me. She reminded me that legacy isn't built overnight, and it's not a single big achievement. It's the everyday choices we make, the small acts of beauty and care, the consistency of showing up for people and place. 

As leaders, we can get caught chasing milestones. The big funding round. The expansion. The award. But true impact comes from the steady work of planting seeds — stories, values, relationships — that will keep growing long after we're gone. 

What Legacy Really Looks Like 

Your legacy isn't what you accomplish in a moment of glory; It’s the culture you foster. It's how you treat your team on a difficult day. It's the values you model when faced with tough decisions. It's the time you invest in mentoring someone who will carry your wisdom forward. 

The dictionary might define legacy as simply the result of past actions, but the legacy worth building is so much more. It's about intentionality. It's about recognizing that your daily choices — not just your big wins — are shaping what future generations will inherit. 

The Question 

So, here's my question for you: What seeds are you planting now that will continue to grow long after you've moved on? Are you cultivating the kind of impact that transcends your tenure? 

Because Legacy isn’t what you leave behind, but what keeps living forward. 

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