The Legacy Lens: UNIQUE Leaders Build a Legacy that Lasts

I had every intention of keeping my monthly rhythm strong — but September and October had other plans.

September was filled with love and celebration as my daughter got married, and in early October I took a holiday with my son — a rare opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and breathe deeply. Those moments reminded me that leadership isn’t just about consistency in our work; it’s also about showing up fully for the people who matter most. Family will always come first, and I’m grateful for that reminder.

Now that life has settled, I’m excited to return to this series exploring what it means to be a UNIQUE Leader. In Part 1: The Bold Lens, we talked about leading with authenticity and courage — choosing boldness over comfort. Today, we look through the next lens: Legacy.

The Legacy Lens

Legacy is one of those words we often associate with the end of a career or a lifetime of achievement. But in truth, legacy is built in the everyday in the way we lead teams, make decisions, and treat people. It’s not something we leave behind; it’s something we live out daily.

A UNIQUE Leader understands that every interaction is an opportunity to influence culture, shape others, and plant seeds that will grow long after they’ve moved on. Legacy isn’t about having your name remembered — it’s about ensuring your impact continues.

When we lead with legacy in mind, we start asking different questions:

• Who am I empowering to lead after me?
• What values am I modelling that will outlast my presence?
• How am I shaping spaces where others can thrive, not just survive?

True legacy is built on generosity of spirit, knowledge, and opportunity. It’s about lifting others as you lead, ensuring that success multiplies rather than ends with you.

As leaders we can't expect to be in our current position forever. We need to be identifying leaders around us now and start shaping them to lead your organisation forward.  They may not do things exactly as you would but you can instil values today that will last into the next generation.

Living Your Legacy Now

You don’t need to wait for a milestone, a promotion, or a retirement to think about legacy. Start today.

Reflect on the influence you already hold — in your workplace, your community, your family. Consider what you want people to feel, learn, or become because they’ve crossed paths with you.

When I coach leaders I encourage them to "never lunch alone". If you're going to a meeting, take your mentee with you. Debrief after and see if they could read the room as you did, with your years of experience. 

That’s where legacy begins: in your intention and your daily actions.

Closing Reflection

At the Unique Leaders Network, we believe leadership is less about the position you hold and more about the ripple you create. Your legacy is forming in every conversation, every decision, and every act of courage.

So pause for a moment and ask yourself:

What legacy are you building right now?

Because the most powerful legacies aren’t written in history books — they’re written in people’s lives.

If you’re looking for a great read that captures this spirit, I highly recommend Dare to Lead by Brené Brown — a powerful reminder that courage, connection, and vulnerability are at the heart of leadership that truly lasts.