What’s your Legacy?
Have you ever stopped to think about the legacy you’ll leave behind? I mean really think about it—not just the targets hit or projects delivered, but the way people will remember you. As leaders, we get so caught up in the day-to-day grind that we rarely take a moment to zoom out and ask, What difference am I making?
James Kerr, in his brilliant book Legacy, shares lessons from the All Blacks. He writes, “Success is no longer about lifting trophies; it’s about your contribution, your story, and leaving the jersey in a better place.” For the All Blacks, the jersey represents something bigger than the individual—a legacy of stewardship and responsibility. While most of us don’t wear jerseys to work, we do hold the same responsibility for our teams, our organisations, and even our communities.
So, what will you leave behind?
Leadership: It’s Bigger Than You
If you’re anything like me, you probably didn’t think about your legacy when you first stepped into a leadership role. You were likely too focused on figuring out what to do, let alone how you’d be remembered! But the longer I’ve been in leadership, the more I’ve realised that it’s not about how much you achieve; it’s about how you serve.
Take Steven Adams, our Kiwi NBA star, for example. He’s not the flashiest player on the court, but he’s known for doing the hard, unglamorous work that makes his team better. In his own words: “It’s not about being the star; it’s about doing what needs to be done for the team to succeed.” Whether he’s setting screens, grabbing rebounds, or guiding younger players, Steven lives the idea that leadership is about lifting others. That’s the kind of legacy that matters.
What Legacy Are You Building?
Here’s the thing—your legacy isn’t something you create at the end of your career. It’s in the small, everyday choices you make right now. Are you the kind of leader who listens when someone’s struggling? Do you take time to develop others, even when your plate is full? Are you building systems and cultures that will thrive long after you’ve moved on?
Ruby Tui, one of my absolute favourites from the Black Ferns, talks about leadership in a way that really hits home for me. In her memoir Straight Up, she says, “True leadership is the opposite of individualism, the opposite of one person standing above the rest. It’s an encompassing, inclusive thing. I never liked the top-down way of leading.”
Ruby reminds us that leadership isn’t about being in charge—it’s about taking care of the people you lead. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. That’s what real legacy looks like.
Humility in Action: “Sweep the Sheds”
One of the most profound lessons from Kerr’s Legacy is the All Blacks’ tradition of “sweeping the sheds.” After every game, the senior players clean the locker room. They don’t do it because they have to—they do it because they want to. It’s a symbol of humility and service.
Think about it—how often do we, as leaders, roll up our sleeves and do the unglamorous work? When we do, we’re sending a clear message: no one is above the team, and success is built on small acts of commitment and care.
A Legacy of Contribution
I’ve been reflecting on what kind of legacy I want to leave as a leadership coach and trainer. For me, it’s about values like kindness, growth, and empowerment. I want people to say, “She made us better, not just in the work we did, but in how we felt about ourselves.”
What about you?
What stories will people tell about you when you’re no longer in the room?
What values are you embedding in your team?
Are you empowering others to take the lead, or are you trying to do it all yourself?
Planting Trees You’ll Never See
One of the most beautiful lines in Legacy is this: “Be a good ancestor. Plant trees you’ll never see.” That’s what leadership is all about—sowing seeds of growth and resilience that will thrive long after you’ve moved on.
So, let’s make it practical. Here are three things you can do today to start shaping your legacy:
Reflect: Take 15 minutes to write down how you want to be remembered as a leader. Be brutally honest—are your actions aligning with that vision?
Empower: Find one person in your team who has potential. How can you help them grow? Maybe it’s a conversation, some coaching, or just giving them space to lead.
Simplify: Look for the “sheds” you can sweep in your leadership. What small, humble act can you do today to show your team you’re in this together?
So, What’s Your Legacy?
The truth is, we’re all leaving a legacy, whether we’re intentional about it or not. The question isn’t if—it’s what kind. So, what will your legacy be?
Let’s start building it, one small action at a time.
Go well this week
Mary-Anne
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