How do you leave a good legacy?

What comes to mind when you hear the word legacy??

Is it tradition? Inheritance? Carrying on the family name?

For Sonja Stewart, it’s all about impact.?

“What impact will your leadership have?” It’s a question Stewart has asked herself constantly throughout more than two decades in senior roles in NSW government, academia and public service.?

From the Department of Premier and Cabinet, to Law Society CEO, to Chair of the South West Sydney District Health Board - Stewart has built a storied career in roles that are impactful by their very nature.?

But, for the proud Yuin woman - who is also Chair of the GO Foundation which supports First Nation’s youth - the concept of legacy is linked to “being part of the world’s oldest surviving culture.”

“I think really deeply about being here for a relatively short period of time, when you consider 60,000 years of continuous culture in this country,” she said. “And I think about impact and [that] I'm only here for a short period of time, so what am I going to do?”

Stewart unpacked her philosophy to FW Founder and Managing Director Helen McCabe on the FW Leadership Series podcast.

“For me, that notion of legacy is really important because it's around stewardship. I think that's not a word that's often used or understood, but you're stewards of something, you're custodians of something for a period of time.”

Stewart says that throughout her career she’s always conscious of the “leadership shadow” she casts and how it impacts others. Sometimes, that means facing some awkward home-truths, especially when issues arise.

“You've got to sit with the discomfort if you do feel uncomfortable and just think about the opportunity,” she says. “It is a really unique time to reset and to think very deeply about what motivates you, where are your values, how do they align and where can your skills be best used.”

It’s all part of the accountability Stewart expects of herself, and her team, that she says is central to being a good leader. Clear communication is also key, particularly in challenging times.?

“Once you’ve established that clarity, understanding and helping them understand their role, you can determine where the issue lies. It could be something that you didn’t think of at the beginning.”

This approach is an example of the ‘custodian’-style of leadership Stewart embraces. The idea that, as a senior leader, she is responsible for stewarding her team toward its goals and greater mission. For Stewart, the higher the role, the greater that responsibility.

“The more senior you become, the more responsible you are in that hierarchy of setting conditions for success. You need to set the tone and culture, you need to work effectively within that team.”

Sonja Stewart spoke to Helen McCabe as part of the FW Leadership Series podcast. Click here for the full episode or follow this link to check out other great interviews in the series.

Until next time,?

FW