Leadership and positions are often associated with power, influence, and status. However, one truth remains constant across time and cultures: leadership is transient. Just like life itself, leadership roles are temporary. The word “transient” calls for deep reflection. It clearly reminds us that nothing lasts forever.
Even the greatest leaders eventually step aside, whether by choice or circumstance. Life is fleeting; we are here today and gone tomorrow. Leadership is no different. History is filled with stories of once-revered figures whose time in the spotlight came to a sudden or gradual end. Whether through retirement, redundancy, ill health, political shifts, or organizational change, leadership roles, especially in corporate organizations, are not permanent.
This is not a cause for fear, but for humility and intentional living. It is an invitation for everyone, especially those in leadership positions, to reflect on the legacy they are building.
Leadership and positions are seasons, not possessions. What endures is not the title we hold, but the lives we touch, the impact we make, and the legacy we leave behind.
What Should We Do to Leave the Right Legacy?
Since we know leadership is not in perpetuity, how should we live? What kind of leaders ought we to be? Here are a few enduring principles:
Treat People Right
Leadership is about people, not power. Titles fade, but how you treat others will be remembered. Be fair, respectful, and just. Show kindness in your dealings, even when making tough decisions. As it is said, “People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel”.
Connect with People
Build genuine relationships. Do not isolate yourself in an ivory tower. Engage with your team, listen actively, and be present. Connection fosters trust, and trust is the currency of effective leadership.
Grow in Emotional Intelligence
Self-awareness, empathy, and self-control are essential for achieving a lasting impact. Emotional intelligence helps you manage stress, resolve conflict, and make wise decisions while fostering a psychologically safe work environment.
Plan for Succession
A true leader prepares others to carry the torch. A leader’s vision needs to extend beyond himself. Do not hoard knowledge or centralize power. Empower others, mentor potential leaders, and create structures that will outlast you. Great leadership is measured not just by success during your tenure, but by what happens after you move on.
Prioritize family
At the end of every leadership journey, it is your family you return to. No title, role, or success can replace the bond of home. Be deliberate, spend meaningful time with them, invest in their development, expose them to growth opportunities, and build a foundation rooted in love. A strong family is the true measure of a lasting legacy.
In conclusion, leadership, like life, is a gift and a fleeting one. We must steward it wisely. Reflecting on its transience should cause a deeper commitment to lead with integrity, empathy, and foresight. As the great trees fall, new ones rise, but what matters most is the shade you gave, the fruit you bore, and the seeds you planted while you stood tall.
Amma Korantema Ansah
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