Are you creating a reputation or a legacy? (80-3)
A leader’s reputation is what people think of them here and now; a leader’s legacy is what people think of them after they are gone. Read Judges 10:1-6.
Israel slipped back to idol worship after each judge over a couple of centuries so it may be unfair to “pick on” Tola and Jair concerning a legacy but their example serves as well as any. Tola and Jair did a good job of leading the Hebrews but immediately upon their deaths, the people began serving the gods of Baal.
If our leadership leaves no lasting impact, our leadership is incomplete. We will have failed to think beyond our daily tasks. The acid test of our leadership effectiveness really takes place once we are no longer on the scene. Effective leaders only consider their leadership successful if they have a successor. The truly effective leader understands they can and will change the situation while they are here but they strive to establish people, systems and principles that last long after they are gone.
If something happened on your way home from work tonight, would the people, systems and principles you have put in place be a legacy or would your team have to scramble to find someone that can fill your role immediately?
