The Importance of a Legacy

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I have explained the context in which the book I have written has been conceptualised – that it is a legacy issue in honour of the role that my Father and Mother have played in my life as a lay leader, and in the Anglican Church. Come to think of it, what is a legacy and why is it important?

Firstly, I must declare that the legacy I am writing about is about a person’s legacy as there can be many forms. Legacy is defined as something that is passed on to someone, an organisation, or a country. We have all heard of “Madiba’s Legacy” to South Africa, and probably have not really thought about what that legacy is given the chaos in governance in our beloved country. However, Nelson Mandela did leave a legacy of bringing peace to a country divided by race and for fighting for human rights all over the world.

The meaning of “legacy” is about something that is passed onto future generations. However, legacy can take many forms such as bequest, birthright, heritage, or inheritance. It can also mean intangible things that are felt emotionally. Charles Spurgeon says “a good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when the forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.” I could not find a more appropriate definition of a legacy than these words which describe feelings, or lessons etched in the hearts of people like being etched in stone to be there forever, and make for lasting impressions. In other words, a legacy could be of one’s faith, ethics, core values, and coming from another person’s character, reputation and life well lived. A person’s legacy can provide direction and inspiration for those who come after and have been impacted positively or made to feel valued and important. Legacy is about exemplary living, behaviour and conduct.

I can attest to my Father’s legacy in my life through his actions, values, character, reputation and a life lived to the fullest. I can also attest to the legacy my Mom keeps building through her forthrightness, honesty, integrity and commitment to our family. Mom is a paragon of being the best that she can be. Well, at her age of 89 I can safely say that she is a paragon of perfection.

In writing the book “The Leader You Want to Be,” I am deliberately embarking on a journey of finding the inspirational things that my parents have impacted me positively with. My story will not only be about my parents for one simple reason – I have interacted with thousands of people who have impacted my life positively. These are priests, churchwardens, parish councillors, colleagues at work, relatives and many others that I have interacted with since I was born. Maybe, just maybe, I am also building what will be seen as a legacy premised on good leadership principles.