In today’s results-driven world, many professionals, particularly those in leadership or public service, approach their roles with a focus on fulfilling mandates within limited timeframes.
We chase targets, manage outputs, and strive for efficiency.
Yet, in the process, we often overlook a deeper responsibility: to leave behind a legacy anchored in integrity, purpose and the upliftment of others.
Leaving a meaningful legacy is not about titles held or accolades achieved.
It is about the values we uphold and influence we leave behind, long after we have moved on. A legacy built on integrity is one where our actions inspire trust, our decisions promote fairness, and our example empowers others to lead with conviction.
True leadership demands that we shift our mindset from short-term tasks to long-term impact.
It begins with living our values – honesty, fairness, professionalism and respect – not only when it is convenient, but especially when it is difficult.
Leading with these values sends a clear message to those around us about who we are and what we stand for.
To build such a legacy, we must:
Be consistent in word and deed, ensuring that our principles guide our decisions.
Treat others with dignity and respect, regardless of their position.
Create space for others to grow, mentor emerging leaders, and champion those without a voice.
Act with integrity even when no one is watching.
As the late Maya Angelou aptly said, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.
This wisdom reminds us that leadership is less about credentials and more about character and service.
A legacy of integrity must not end at the office door.
It should ripple into our communities and the nation at large.
We need to challenge the culture of self-enrichment that often comes at the cost of social responsibility.
When leaders prioritise personal gain – whether through inflated salaries or exclusive privileges – while others remain unemployed, underemployed or stuck on continuous short-term contracts, the system becomes one of exclusion, not empowerment.
We must recognise that true leadership is measured by how we use our influence to uplift others.
A fair and ethical workplace can become a powerful catalyst for broader societal change – if we make intentional, values-driven decisions.
As a nation, we need to do better.
We must ask difficult questions: are we creating opportunities for the marginalised, or only focused on securing our own comfort?
Are we treating people as temporary assets, or investing in their long-term growth?
The answers to these questions shape our legacy more than any formal achievement.
When our tenure ends – whether in leadership, service or any other role – we must pause and reflect: what legacy am I leaving behind? Did I lead with integrity and vision? Did I empower others, or simply held a position?
We are all authors of our leadership story.
May each of us write one marked by courage, purpose and a deep sense of accountability – not only to our organisations, but to the communities we are called to serve.
*Victoria K. Shikongo holds a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in marketing. With over 10 years’ experience in media, she specialises in integrated marketing and stakeholder engagement. She writes in her personal capacity.