Leadership and Legacy: Should leaving a legacy be a leader’s priority?

‍Thoughts on Legacy‍

Throughout my life, I have often heard leaders discuss their desire to leave behind a legacy or perhaps a testament to their life’s work, for what they have built or improved in an organization. The idea of a legacy can be applied to any organization - military units, corporations, religious groups, non-profits, and families can all have a legacy label attached to them by the leader.

The question for any leader, leading any type of organization is: should the goal be to leave a legacy to those following in successive generations? I believe the answer to this question is an emphatic no. This does not mean that a leader will not leave a legacy. It also does not mean that having a legacy is good or bad. Certainly, for any acknowledged legacy one will find proponents who maintain the legacy is beneficial for an organization, a country, a family, etc. Others will view the same legacy as an abject failure, a disaster, a disgrace. How one views the legacy is irrelevant to the discussion. Again, the question is should the leader’s goal be to leave a legacy at all? 

‍Legacy Exemplified

Let us examine a historical person who has left an indelible mark on the world. General Douglas MacArthur began his military career graduating from West Point in 1903 and then rose to the rank of Brigadier General in WWI. He commanded the Rainbow Division (42nd Division) which under his leadership was finally able to take Côte de Châtillon after exposing a gap in the German defenses that MacArthur's soldiers discovered. This victory at Côte de Châtillon was considered the decisive turning point of the whole Meuse–Argonne offensive, leading to the Armistice on  November 11, 1918. 

In WWII he led the Allied forces in the liberation of the Philippines, solidifying his place as a legendary military leader. 

Following World War II, General MacArthur was appointed as the Supreme  Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in Japan. His leadership during the occupation and reconstruction of Japan was instrumental in implementing reforms that contributed significantly to the country’s post-war recovery and democratization. 

In 1950, during the Korean War, General MacArthur assumed command of the  United Nations forces in Korea. His masterful Inchon landing dealt a severe blow to  North Korean forces. However, as the war unfolded, General MacArthur’s aggressive approach and advocacy for expanding the conflict into China led to a rift with President  Harry S. Truman. In 1951, Truman relieved him of his command for insubordination,  creating controversy that echoes to this day. 

Despite the contentious conclusion of his military career, General MacArthur left a legacy of unwavering commitment to duty, strategic genius, and inspirational leadership.  

I do not pretend to know the mindset of General MacArthur as a young leader coming out of West Point. Did the concept or goal of leaving  a legacy enter his mind in 1903? Was he concerned about leaving a legacy as he progressed through his military career? Did he even care about his legacy as he retired or was he content to simply have given his best with the gifts that were bestowed upon him by his Creator? 

Perhaps his speech to the West Point cadets on May 12, 1962, gives us insight into where his thoughts lay regarding legacy. He received the Sylvanus Thayer Award presented to an outstanding citizen of the United States whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify personal devotion to the ideals expressed in the West Point motto: DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY. He stated in part of his  acceptance speech:

‍“No human being could fail to be deeply moved by such a tribute as this. Coming from a  profession I have served so long, and a people I have loved so well, it fills me with an  emotion I cannot express. But this award is not intended primarily to honor a personality but to symbolize a great moral code -- the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land of culture and ancient descent. That is the animation of this medallion. For all eyes and for all time, it is an expression of the ethics of the  American soldier. That I should be integrated in this way with so noble an ideal, arouses a sense of pride and yet of humility which will be with me always. 

‍Duty, Honor, Country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith;  to create hope when hope becomes forlorn. 

Unhappily, I possess neither that eloquence of diction, that poetry of imagination, nor  that brilliance of metaphor to tell you all that they mean.”

This excerpt conveys to me where General MacArthur’s attitude towards legacy settled. Whatever thoughts he may have had about leaving a legacy for others during his military career, I do not think that the idea of his legacy was on his mind as he reached the twilight of his life. 

‍Servant Leadership Not Legacy 

If a leader has on his mind, “I want to leave a legacy”, I suggest he sit in the quiet and examine his conscience to see if perhaps pride is at the heart of his desire. If so, kill it! Instead, cultivate a deep humility and gratitude for the gifts you have been given and steward those gifts not for any personal glory or legacy, but because it is your duty. It will matter not what the world may think of you when you die. I invite the reader to follow the example of Jesus of Nazareth, who I believe was the greatest leader who ever lived. He sought no legacy. Everything he did was to show the glory of his Father as he instructed his followers to do. Seek only to hear these words resounding in your ears: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (ESV Bible, Matthew 25:23)

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Jerry Zazzera enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War in 1972.  After spending a year at West Point's Prep School, he received an appointment to West Point and graduated in 1977.   After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, he served the majority of his active service in Germany during the Cold War in several capacities at the company and battalion levels.  In 1983, he separated from active service and worked for Lockheed Corporation on several projects during his 12 years of service.  In 1995, he went back to school and received his Masters of Physical Therapy from Hannemahn University. He has served in varying capacities in all major hospital systems in the Baltimore/Annapolis area over the last 26 years. Jerry graduated from the C.S. Lewis Fellows Program and now serves as a mentor in that ministry.  Jerry resides with his wife, Angie, in Pasadena, MD.  Together they have two adult children John and Jessica, and two granddaughters, Kimberly and Abigail.