Can you Build A Legacy In Servant Leadership?

As a leader, it is only natural to want to build a legacy in your role or other positions of power. Who doesn’t want a great legacy? To be the guy employees still speak fondly about even though they started years after you left the company.

So, what kind of leaders build a great legacy? I bet a servant leader was not your first answer. But it’s okay; the term does not always scream ‘destined to be great’.

Yet it offers a great chance to build a legacy that will keep shaping the company long after you are gone. Leaders who build legacies may not be that different from the kind of leader you are now.

So, if you are thinking about abandoning your servant leadership style for the purpose of leaving a legacy, don’t. Your role now has more power than you know. Explore this concept a little more with me. 

Why Leaders Should Be Thinking about Building A Legacy Now

Do you think it’s too soon to be thinking about your legacy? I mean, you probably just started, and that’s a years-in-the-making type of thing. But, like saving, it’s never too early to start. Thinking about how to build a legacy now is necessary for the following reasons:

Dealing with Change

As a leader, you will have to adapt to changes happening all around you and guide your team through these changes. Thinking about your legacy significantly shortens the panic-to-action time.

Think about what your people will remember about you during that major change that changed everything. You want to be the one who takes action, not panics, and takes too long to make a decision. 

Learning from Experience

Over time, your experiences will give you wisdom, which should shape your ability to lead effectively. Reflecting on your legacy will encourage you to use these lessons to make better decisions and steer your people toward long-term success.

Experienced leaders understand the value of resilience, empathy, and strategic thinking, which are critical for leaving a lasting impact.

Creating a Meaningful Legacy

If you want to build a legacy, you have to see beyond short-term achievements and focus on the lasting impact of one’s actions. You should always consider how your decisions affect the people and culture within the company—not just now but for years to come.

A lot is riding on this.

By thinking about legacy, you can make sure that you are contributing to environments where others can thrive and continue to lead in the future.

Acting with Intentionality

With time, your motivations may diminish. After a while, money may not be enough to keep you working hard and taking care of everything with the same enthusiasm as when you started. Don’t beat yourself up about it; it happens to a lot of us.

So, when this happens, it’s time to dig deep and think about the kind of leader you will be remembered as. When you think about your legacy, you act with greater intention.

You understand that every decision and interaction shapes how they will remember you. If that’s not motivation to lead with purpose, I don’t know what is!

In short, focusing on building a legacy now helps you navigate the complexities of leadership with a long-term vision.

Build A Legacy: 6 Key Areas of Focus for Servant Leaders 

How do you build a legacy? Like I said before, this is a years-in-the-making type of thing. You will not build it in a day, and even if you do, there’s no harm in taking care of and growing it. That said, there is no single-statement answer to this question.

Ask anyone who’s built a legacy; the answer is not simple. But not to say that building a legacy is unattainable. In fact, servant leaders are well positioned to become the change the company needs to move to the future.

Like most things that feel unattainable, break down your legacy aspirations into smaller bites, starting with: 

Aligning Purpose with Values

To build a legacy, servant leaders must align their actions with their core values. The alignment helps in creating a clear sense of purpose that guides every decision.

When you stay true to your values, you inspire others, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond their immediate influence.

So, it is not just your team members but also the people they work with. And not just them but other managers or CEOs who work above them. You could transform everyone from the intern to the CEO with the right influence. 

For instance, a servant leader who values integrity and always acts in line with that principle sets a standard that others are likely to follow.

With consistency, you will help build a culture of honesty and trust within the organization.

Empowering and Developing Others

A huge part of a servant leader’s legacy is the growth and empowerment of their team. Some are known for inventing, but you should be known for transforming, starting with your people.

Therefore, focus on taking your people to the next level of their roles or careers. And it is as simple as providing opportunities for learning and encouraging them to take on challenges. 

By doing this, you will help them reach their full potential. And what does that look like? Better performance and a strong, resilient organization.

Leaders who focus on developing others build a legacy of continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring that the organization thrives long after they are gone.

You will be the guy who made the company focus less on using people and more on developing them for greater success. 

Serving Beyond Boundaries

If you want to build a legacy, you will have to move past the restrictions of your job. Mentors have always told me that nobody becomes great by staying in their lane. So, get ready to cross over and do great things.

Servant leaders expand their influence by serving beyond the confines of their job descriptions or organizations. 

You should engage with communities, collaborate across sectors, and address broader societal issues. By doing so, you create a legacy of service that goes beyond your immediate role, contributing to the greater good and inspiring others to do the same.

This broad approach to leadership helps build a legacy that is not only impactful but also far-reaching.

Modeling Integrity and Humility

Servant leaders lead by example, showing integrity and humility in all their actions. You are not afraid to admit mistakes and learn from them. And this simple act of strength shows others that growth comes from vulnerability.

By modeling these qualities, you are not showing weakness but setting a standard of ethical behavior and continuous learning. It becomes a part of your legacy.

People will remember you for your authenticity and the positive influence you had on those around you.

Creating Joy and Fulfillment

Happiness at work is rarely something people discuss. I tend to think it’s because people have this mindset about work where if you are happy, then you are not working. 

But in doing so, we overlook just how necessary it is to be happy at work. It’s not just an emotion; it’s a reflection of fulfillment.

Joy is a crucial aspect of servant leadership. Leaders who find joy in serving others and creating a positive work environment leave a legacy of happiness and fulfillment.

This contagious joy spreads throughout the organization and leads to higher engagement and productivity.

A leader who cultivates joy creates a workplace where people are not just working towards goals but are also finding personal satisfaction and growth. Now that’s a legacy we should all get behind. 

Sustaining and Celebrating the Legacy

And one last time for the people in the back: Building a legacy is not a one-time achievement but a years-in-the-making process.

So do not expect to lead with joy, show humility, or empower your team a few times and expect people to remember your name. You must grow and nourish your legacy. 

Servant leaders sustain their legacy by always reflecting on their values, celebrating their team’s successes, and adapting to changing circumstances.

They understand that to build a legacy one must nurture and revisit it so it remains relevant and impactful. By doing so, you make sure that your influence lasts and continues to inspire future generations.

Servant Leader, Start Building Your Legacy

There is no better time than the present, except, of course, yesterday. So, do not let the intimidating idea of a legacy stop you from building yours. It’s a continuous process, and it’s always good to get a head start.

As a servant leader, you have the potential to build a legacy that not just helps the company, but nurtures, grows, and inspires those who will have the pleasure of working with you. It’s all in your power, you just need to start and remain dedicated.