The Responsibility of Leadership and the Impact We Leave Behind

Leadership isn’t just a position. It’s a responsibility. It’s about the impact we make, the way we uplift others, and the culture we help create. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what leadership truly means to me; especially in a time when inclusion, empowerment, and progress feel more threatened than ever. If we stay true to these values, success will follow.

We spend a huge chunk of our lives at work. Almost a third of our lifetime. It’s like a lifelong diagnosis with no cure, and the only real shot at remission is winning the lottery… but let’s be real, what are the odds of that? Life’s too short, and time moves way too fast. So, we owe it to ourselves to make that time count. The best way to do that? Protecting our rights, our well-being, and the spaces where we spend so much of our lives.

And that starts with leadership.

The truth is, how we treat each other matters. The best leaders I’ve worked with valued trust, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose. Without those, something always felt off. Even if I was physically present, I didn’t want to be. I found myself looking for every excuse to leave. Sound familiar? That feeling of being stuck in a culture where people are just going through the motions, turnover is constant, and morale is hanging by a thread?

That’s the difference between management and leadership. A title might give someone authority, but it doesn’t make them a leader. Leadership isn’t about power, it’s about what we give back. Every time I step into work, my goal is to uplift others and create an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Leadership isn’t about commanding a room; it’s about making space for others to thrive.

Strong leaders thrive on conversation, not compliance. They empower others through support, encouragement, and constructive feedback that fuels growth. We all communicate differently, and if we don’t adapt to each other’s styles, feedback can be misinterpreted. Our ego gets in the way, making us take things personally instead of seeing feedback for what it is, an opportunity to grow. That’s why I always made sure my staff knew they could challenge me. I don’t have all the answers, and I’m not always right. I need people who call me out when necessary. We all do. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who challenged me.

I think back to all the people who have inspired me throughout my life and their voices echo in my mind. Encouraging me every time I face a challenge. Some carried impressive titles, but the ones who left the deepest impact were my colleagues, my friends, and my family.

A few months ago, I left my position working with one of the best teams I’ve ever been a part of. Leaving wasn’t easy, but I take comfort in knowing that the work we did together lives on. The relationships we built, the culture we shaped, the lessons we learned; they didn’t disappear when I left. They still tell me that when faced with a challenge, they’ve coined the phrase “What would Jojo do?” or WWJJD. And in turn, I often reflect on how their influence shapes the way I navigate my own challenges.

That’s leadership. It’s not about titles. It’s about the legacy we leave behind. The kind that lasts long after we’re gone.

And that’s why it’s more important than ever to think about the kind of leadership we need right now. Because leadership doesn’t just shape our workplaces. It shapes our communities, our policies, and our future.

Lately, we’ve seen what happens when leadership fails. We’ve watched people in power strip away inclusion, equity, and progress, sending a clear message that they don’t see value in creating spaces where everyone belongs. DEI programs are being dismantled. Rights that we thought were secure are under attack. And the worst part? They want us to believe this is normal.

On January 29th, a tragic mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., claimed 67 lives. The next day, President Donald Trump addressed the nation and suggested that DEI policies within the FAA may have contributed to the accident. He did not provide a single shred of evidence. When a reporter challenged him, asking how he could make that claim without proof, his response? “Because I have common sense, and unfortunately a lot of people don’t.”

A very wise woman once told me, “Common sense isn’t so common.” She was right. And the president’s remarks proved her point.

So let me be clear: No administration, no policy change, and no system of oppression can erase the power of those who refuse to be silenced.

Here’s my message to you. You deserve to be in a culture where you feel valued, included, and empowered. Not because of a policy, but because it’s the right thing to do. And if those spaces don’t exist? May you have the courage to create them. Or at the very least, find a place that recognizes your worth and respects your values.

Because leadership isn’t just about making an impact while you’re there. It’s about ensuring that impact lasts long after you’re gone.

I’ll leave you with this powerful quote from Sheryl Sandberg:

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

Peace and love,

Jojo