Legacy

Legacy, from legate, to bequeath. Legacy is what you pass on or leave to another. If we argue that imitation is the greatest form a flattery, then our legacy exists in the leaders we lead to lead who imitate our leadership.

As Craig Johnson posits, leaders can bequeath shadows of negative accomplishments or bequeath lighted paths of positive accomplishments. Herein we see a connection to lighting a candle and choosing to hide it in a basket or putting it on a candle stand to light the way for others.

As a professor, I have but a few weeks to interact with students in a course. When I ask how many want to take a class because the subject is exciting, I often get blank stares in return. When I ask how many take a class because it is a requirement, most hands go up. In those few weeks I am not going to see my legacy long term; however, I sense a legacy when suddenly one or two students have that Ah Ha - now I get it - moment.