Will Anyone Miss You?

“The best way to be missed when you’re gone
is to stand for something when you’re here.” – Seth Godin

This quote is powerful from so many different perspectives, as Seth points out, but I want us to take a look at how we measure up against it from a leadership perspective! Here are three questions to consider:

1.      What do you stand for? Have you ever thought about that? I’m not asking about your beliefs, because we can all have beliefs that we don’t live out. I’m asking you to consider, “What am I willing to put myself on the line for?” Do you go to bat for your team, and if so, do you do it in a way that others see your passion and want to follow you? Are you willing to speak up when no one else will, despite the consequences? Have you taken a stand for anything lately, or are you content to go with the flow?

2.      What difference have you made? What if today was your last day at work? That’s it. No more projects, no more decisions. Have you made a difference during your time with your team? Did you invest yourself in your teammates? Did you grow leaders during your time there to step in and continue leading the team forward after your departure? It’s great to be missed, but you don’t want your team missing you because you didn’t prepare them to carry on without you. The time to develop your people is now, not after you’ve accepted your new job or scheduled your retirement.

3.      What legacy will you leave? Wait, don’t answer that. Trick question! YOU, my friend, don’t get to decide your legacy. The people in your wake do. What you stand for now determines how they’ll remember you later.