A personal brand is what people know you for. A leadership legacy is what keeps helping people after you’re gone.
EXPERT OPINION BY MARCEL SCHWANTES, INC. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, EXECUTIVE COACH, SPEAKER, AND AUTHOR @MARCELSCHWANTES
American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton wearing a denim jacket, 1979. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/
Dolly Parton died today at age 80, ending a remarkable career that stretched across music, movies, business, and philanthropy. According to Reuters, Parton died peacefully in Nashville. She sold more than 100 million records, won 11 Grammys, and became one of the rare public figures whose appeal crossed generations and political divides.
But for leaders, one part of Parton’s life deserves particular attention. More than 20 years ago, she essentially gave us her definition of legacy.
In a 2005 interview, the then 59-year-old Parton
In a 2005 interview, the then 59-year-old Parton was asked what Dollywood might look like decades into the future. Her answer wasn’t really about a theme park.
“You try to set up these things in your lifetime that will still go and be just as good or better after you are gone,” she said. Then she added: “So if you do your job right … it will carry on.”
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That’s a pretty good leadership philosophy by my book. Here’s the thing: too many leaders think about legacy in terms of what they accomplish. For example, growth, revenue, promotions, recognition, or the size of the organization they built.
Parton seemed to think differently. Her business and life decisions suggest that legacy is what continues to create value for other people after your direct involvement ends.
Here are three examples to illustrate her own legacy, and maybe carve your own.
Source: www.inc.com
