Are You Leading with Legacy in Mind?
Every leader, whether they realize it or not, is building a legacy. The question isn't whether you'll leave one – it's what kind of legacy you'll leave behind. As I reflect on my journey from the banking halls of Standard Chartered to the pulpit of It Is Well Church International, from counseling rooms at Childline Botswana to the pages of over 20 books I've authored, one truth has become crystal clear: legacy-minded leadership transforms not just organizations, but generations.
What Is Legacy Leadership?
Legacy leadership goes beyond quarterly reports, immediate results, or even personal success. It's about making decisions today with tomorrow's impact in mind. It's asking yourself not just "Will this work?" but "Will this matter in 20 years? What kind of foundation am I laying for those who will come after me?"
In my eleven years of marriage to Dineo and as a father, I've learned that legacy isn't just about professional achievements – it's about the values we instill, the character we model, and the positive change we create that outlives our physical presence.
The Biblical Model of Legacy Leadership
Scripture is filled with examples of leaders who thought beyond their immediate circumstances. Moses prepared Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, knowing he wouldn't make the journey himself. David gathered materials for the temple that Solomon would build. Paul invested in Timothy, Titus, and other young leaders who would carry on the work of the Gospel.
These leaders understood a fundamental truth: great leadership isn't measured by what you accomplish in your lifetime, but by what continues to flourish long after you're gone.
Legacy Leadership in Practice
1. Invest in People, Not Just Projects
During my years in banking, I observed two types of leaders: those who focused solely on hitting targets and those who developed their teams while achieving results. The legacy leaders understood that projects end, but people carry forward what they've learned.
At It Is Well Church International, I don't just preach sermons – I mentor emerging leaders. Through LP Publishers, I don't just publish books – I help other authors find their voice and share their message. Legacy leaders multiply themselves through others.
2. Build Systems That Outlast You
When I established our printing and publishing company, I didn't just create a business – I built systems and processes that could function and grow beyond my direct involvement. Legacy-minded leaders create structures that survive leadership transitions.
The same principle applies in ministry. The programs, discipleship systems, and leadership development processes we establish today will determine the church's impact for decades to come.
3. Make Decisions with Generational Impact
Every major decision I make, I ask myself: "How will this affect the next generation?" Whether it's a business investment, a ministry initiative, or even how I handle conflict, I consider the long-term implications.
This perspective changed how I approached my counseling work at Childline Botswana. I wasn't just helping children through immediate crises – I was contributing to breaking cycles of abuse and dysfunction that could impact families for generations.
The Leadership Legacy Audit
Here are the questions I regularly ask myself, and I encourage every leader to consider:
Personal Character Questions:
What values am I demonstrating daily?
Am I the same person in private as I am in public?
What would those closest to me say about my integrity?
People Development Questions:
Who am I intentionally mentoring and developing?
Are the people around me growing because of my leadership?
Will my organization be stronger after I'm gone?
Vision and Values Questions:
Are my decisions aligned with my stated values?
Am I building something that serves a purpose beyond profit or personal gain?
Will future generations be grateful for what I'm building today?
Impact Questions:
What problems am I solving that will stay solved?
How am I contributing to positive change in my community?
What will people remember about my leadership style?
Learning from Multiple Contexts
My diverse experience across banking, ministry, counseling, and entrepreneurship has taught me that legacy leadership principles apply universally, but manifest differently in each context.
In Banking: Legacy leaders built institutions that served communities faithfully, not just stockholders quarterly.
In Ministry: Legacy leaders raised up disciples who planted churches and transformed communities long after the original leader was gone.
In Counseling: Legacy leaders addressed root causes, not just symptoms, creating lasting healing and breaking destructive patterns.
In Business: Legacy leaders built companies that served society while generating sustainable profit, creating jobs and opportunities for future generations.
The Cost of Legacy Leadership
Leading with legacy in mind isn't always easy or immediately rewarding. It often means:
Saying no to short-term gains that compromise long-term vision
Investing time in developing people who might leave your organization
Making decisions that benefit others more than yourself
Taking on challenges that you might not live to see fully resolved
But the cost of not leading with legacy in mind is far greater: organizations that die with their founders, movements that lose momentum after key leaders leave, and missed opportunities to make lasting, positive change.
Starting Your Legacy Today
Legacy leadership isn't reserved for senior executives or veteran pastors. Whether you're leading a family, a team, a department, or an organization, you can start building a positive legacy today:
Define Your Values: What principles will guide your decisions?
Identify Your Successors: Who are you preparing to carry on after you?
Document Your Wisdom: What have you learned that others need to know?
Measure Long-term Impact: How will you know if you're building something lasting?
Seek Accountability: Who will help you stay focused on legacy rather than just immediate results?
The Ripple Effect
Through my radio and television ministry, I've learned that every message I share creates ripples I may never see. Someone hears a broadcast, applies a principle, and it changes their family dynamic. That change affects their children, who grow up to influence their communities, and the ripple continues.
This is the power of legacy leadership – understanding that your influence extends far beyond your immediate circle and your lifetime.
Your Legacy Starts Now
The beautiful truth about legacy is that it's never too late to start building a positive one, and it's never too early to be intentional about it. Whether you're 25 or 65, leading your first team or your fifth organization, you have the opportunity to make decisions today that will echo through eternity.
As I often tell the congregation at It Is Well Church International: "You are not just living for today – you are planting seeds for harvests you may never see, building foundations for structures you may never occupy, and lighting fires that will warm generations yet to be born."
The question isn't whether you're building a legacy – you are. The question is: what kind of legacy are you building?
