How can you create a lasting legacy in your field?

Outside of developing some life altering invention I feel that leaving a mark on your legacy starts with individuals. When you impact one person's life it impacts their family and potentially generations. Focus on individuals and then you will create an avalanche effect that will create your legacy.

Creating a lasting legacy isn't about the spotlight; it's about making a meaningful impact. I'm privileged to advise a women’s digital healthcare startup pro bono, driven by the belief that making a positive change matters more than any reward. Our mission? To uplift the lives of over 1 million Indian women, who face some of the most challenging healthcare disparities globally, by the close of 2024. For me, legacies are about making an indelible mark, often starting with selfless actions, rather than grand gestures. I believe that changing lives, whether in small or big ways, is the best way to create a lasting legacy.

An interesting angle to look at a lasting legacy from is one of selflessness. It can be a positive attitude, continually shared with colleagues and customers until it becomes culture, or a methodology, which outlasts its creator, or - of course - a specific project or venture, where the benefits can be felt for years or generations. But beware of the typical pitfall, which is that if leaving a lasting legacy is your motive, it will likely be a negative one.

Creating a lasting legacy in my field requires a combination of hard work, dedication, innovation, and a commitment to leaving a positive impact. Here are some steps that I can use to build a lasting legacy in my field: 1. Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: Invest time in mentoring and teaching the next generation in my field. Sharing knowledge and experience can help ensure my legacy continues through others. A lasting legacy is not just about personal recognition but also about how my work benefits my field, society, and future generations. By striving for excellence, contributing to knowledge, and making a positive impact, you can create a legacy that endures long after I'm gone.

A genuine purpose that drives you will give you a million reasons to wake up every morning raring to go. The most sustainable way to create a legacy is to have a strong and genuine purpose that is aligned with your values

Leaving a legacy is about transcending the daily grind and making a lasting impact. In our careers, that legacy should revolve around adding value to others. Merely showing up for work without purpose diminishes the true potential of our professional journey. It requires introspection, prompting us to question our motivations and the value we bring to our roles. If we find ourselves in positions that don't fulfill this purpose, it's an opportunity to tap into our skills and pivot towards roles or even side hustles that allow us to create meaningful value. Ultimately, our work should provide purpose, meaning, and a positive impact on others' lives, so when the day comes to a close, we can reflect on a career that truly meant something.

For me, it is about doing something bigger than yourself. Running a business isn't just about profit, it is about making something people are proud to be a part of, setting standards and doing good. I am passionate about the environment, so use funds from the business to help put solar panels on a local school's roof. For me, that is really important and leaves a legacy for future generations to benefit from.

More important than sharing your knowledge is recording it in a way that is easily delivered to others. That may be as simple as creating a step by step job aid or recording trainings and insights to be shared in a learning platform online. Scaling is important so recorded trainings is a must to leave a legacy for the next generation to build from.

Sharing your knowledge and mentoring others from a place of humility is undoubtedly one of the best ways to leave behind a legacy that's remembered for a long time to come. The most fundamental requirement for knowledge sharing is to be secure in who you are and what value you can add to the situation.

Sharing knowledge will open the gate of vast information in this modern world. Currently there's nothing called mutually exclusive skill which can't be replicated or replaced. So, not sharing your expertise doesn't help you and your team to grow. Hence, knowledge sharing should be a collaborative approach where every little expertise should be considered with value and be implemented to grow further. Every single knowledge can be converted into new ideas and every new idea can be a life changing idea.

Build your "Effective" network based on your expertise and contribution to the team, not just flattering the Bosses or pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. Also, try to understand the segregation of different types of networks. Professional network shouldn't overlap with personal network. Proper networking with credibility, transparency and values will be the ladder of your personal and professional growth, others will just make your life more complicated.

Make an effort to differentiate yourself in the ‘noise’ of many in your network, from the beginning Eg when someone accepts a LinkedIn network connection invitation, I respond in message with ‘Hi & thanks for your connection Mary??’

Add value to people's life. Also create opportunities for your contacts to showcase their skills and help them gain recognition. And be sincerely happy to support your network. My personal example; I am planning a community wellness outreach campaign. This campaign will strengthen my relationship with my hot contacts, warm contacts and cold contacts. By doing so I will be able to network via adding value to my existing contacts as they will reach out to their network seeking support for our community wellness outreach campaign. Together we will promote community wellness with focus on the 8 dimensions of wellness.

Be you! Stay true to your morals, ethics and beliefs and never allow anyone to derail your goal etc. People then get to know, like and trust you and those right people join you on your path.

I find power in bringing people in on my projects to give them opportunities for growth and stretching their skills. I feel it is important as a leader that we look at the impact of “we over me”. At the end of our careers, our legacy will be how we are remembered bit the number of certificates or kudos we earn.

Innovation happens by default when you focus on your field, keep your knowledge up-to-date, collaborate and connect the dots. Experimentation is a must as the best lessons come from failures.

Innovation has been central to my career path - some might call it disruption, in fact. It is living at the edge of the "known" patterns and "safe" assumptions that creates true transformation. In building a legacy, we must consider how we can encourage others to question the accepted. We can do this by creating an environment that is inclusive and curious; by rewarding the risk-takers and celebrating those who take chances -- no matter the outcome.

The thought of "innovation" sometimes strikes a nerve as it may lead to change which has to be managed. So, calm down, breathe and take action. My personal example; I envision empowered communities that prioritize wellness, economic stability, and environmental responsibility. While planning a community wellness outreach campaign for my club, Zufad Wellness Club. I recognize that economic stability is a cornerstone of well-being, and I propose the establishment of sustainable livelihood initiatives within communities to alleviate poverty. To achieve success I intend to key into sustainable partnerships with stakeholders.

Be part of Coproduction. True coproduction is when everyone has equal value, all titles are left at the door. We are all there from the very start, from that blank sheet of paper and we are all heard. First hand I can share that this grows your network, allows you to use your strengths and you will be part of making great changes for the better. Coproduction works, saves money and offers a wealth of opportunity.

Ensure your legacy lives... Empower the youths as they are our future. My personal example; I have incorporated a "Youth-Led initiative programme" while planning the community wellness outreach campaign for my club, Zufad Wellness Club.

So many people forget to celebrate the great things they do. I often remind people of how powerful it is and how far reached these celebrations can reach. So often people read about the complaints and problems out here and its human nature for people to then make judgement and if they are not seeing the great things that are happening with the work you are doing then you are not showing them the right things about your work etc

Creating a lasting legacy in your field often starts with celebrating your achievements, BIG and small. Each milestone allows you to reflect on your contributions and share your knowledge and insights. Public recognition, whether through industry awards, publications, or speaking engagements, amplifies your impact and leaves an indelible mark. By celebrating your achievements, you validate your efforts and inspire others in the field. It sets the stage for mentorship, collaboration, and continual advancement, contributing to a lasting legacy. #awinisawin

Here are two approaches I often see people celebrate their achievements: - Leveraging various platforms to share your accomplishments, such as social media, professional networks, and personal websites. - Mentoring or offering insights to aspiring professionals in your field. This can not only give back to the community but also strengthen the legacy you've been building. Celebrating achievements is not just about personal branding, it's also about leaving a positive mark in your field and contributing to a culture of continuous learning.

Learning how to tell stories is a great way to create a legacy that is easy to connect with and pass on to a bigger audience. Stories last a long time and are refined by others according to changing circumstances which keeps the core knowledge alive

Mentor your next leader and provide all your resources to ensure a continued mission. One should have a written exit plan that can be executed without any deviations from the mission.

I can share all the successes and innovations I've had in my career, but they don't matter to me if I'm not recognized as a supportive and kind friend, mentor, leader, and colleague. I would much rather be remembered for my impact on people, individually and on a large scale, than for the # of articles I've written, the accolades I've received, and the stages I've been on. In the world of career counseling and development, our wisdom, conversations, and capacity to build trust with the clients we serve and the communities we engage in is critical to our legacy.