Leaving a Meaningful Legacy

As new years begin, I find myself pausing to reflect on the last one. Gretchen and I made plenty of memories in 2024 that we will cherish forever, but the most significant change was the growth of the Moore Family (Columbus Chapter) by two feet and four paws. For our seven-year-old Golden Retriever, Luna, it’s been quite an eventful year! Amid all this, I’ve been grappling with the concept of legacy—what it means, how we build it, and whether I’m focused on what really matters.

This year, I finally finished a biography on Winston Churchill—and no, I’m not bragging. It took me far longer than I’d like to admit! Another highlight was the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in May, affectionately dubbed the “Capitalist’s Woodstock.” Gretchen graciously tolerated my hours-long immersion in the event, as I listened in with millions of Woodstock-esque business nerds, glued to Warren Buffett and his team’s every word. A poignant part of the meeting was a heartfelt tribute to the late Charlie Munger, Buffett’s long-time partner and confidant.

Churchill’s legacy is unparalleled. His revolutionary approach to politics and military strategy made him a pivotal figure in preserving the free world during the 20th century. Similarly, Charlie Munger earned the title “The Great Architect” for his indispensable role alongside Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway. Both men’s legacies are enduring testaments to their influence.

Mr. Munger often encouraged people to “live life backward”—to consider what readers and listeners want their tombstones to say and live accordingly. With a new dependent to claim on our 2024 tax filing, this exhortation resonates with me more than ever.

While the contributions of Churchill, Mr. Munger, and others like them are monumental, their legacies highlight that there isn’t just one way to think about legacy. It’s a multifaceted concept, and while there are likely endless ways to categorize legacy, here’s how I’ve come to see it this year:

1. The Codified Legacy

This is the legacy recorded in history books, exemplified by Churchill and Charlie. It’s an aspirational benchmark, achieved through extraordinary feats like breaking records, finding cures, or accomplishing underdog victories. While I’m competitive by nature, I recognize that a codified legacy is rare and often fleeting unless shared with icons like Churchill or Mr. Munger. Still, pursuing such a legacy, for the right reasons and in the right way will always be top of mind for me.

2. The Influencer’s Legacy

Perhaps the most impactful yet overlooked form of legacy, an influencer’s legacy represents the mark we leave on others through our actions as we navigate our way through life, or as we pursue a codified legacy. For example, my son will learn to care for others and contribute to society based on what he observes from me (a little scary to think about).

And an influencer’s legacy extends far beyond family to friends, colleagues, and then those who family, friends and colleagues interact with! This ongoing influence creates ripples that make it difficult to know the total impact of an influencer’s legacy, in the best way.

3. The Enabler’s Legacy

This type of legacy builds on the influencer’s legacy. Leaders, in particular, have the power to enable legacy-building for those they lead. This doesn’t mean creating legacies for others but fostering environments where individuals can thrive and shape their own paths. It’s challenging but deeply rewarding to watch team members build their unique legacies within a culture you’ve nurtured. And this isn’t just in the workplace, it’s true for families and for the community or interest-based groups you may be a part of, too.

I’m guessing, Churchill and Mr. Munger understood that these three types of legacies are interconnected. They achieved monumental feats worth recording, fostered environments that empowered others, and profoundly influenced those around them.

So, what about my legacy? Truthfully, I’m still figuring it out. But as Mr. Munger suggested, the pursuit of living life backward—thinking about what I’d like written on my tombstone—might just be the journey that shapes it. For now, my legacy feels intertwined with the small, meaningful ways I show up every day: how I care for my family, partner with my colleagues to create value for NetJets, and connect with others.

Watching my son grow and learn will undoubtedly offer a glimpse of the ripple effect my choices might have. Whether or not my name ends up in history books, I hope my actions leave a lasting imprint on the people who matter most. As I reflect on the legacies of immediate friends and family, in addition to Churchill’s, Mr. Munger’s, and others, I’m reminded that every legacy matters.

So, here’s to another year of attempting to live life backward, embracing the journey, and encouraging others to do the same.