What’s your leadership legacy?

“Your reputation is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

We all remember that one boss, whether for all the right reasons or all the wrong ones. But what sets a great leader apart from the others and what difference does it make anyway? Strong leadership is the backbone of any thriving organisation. Beyond setting direction, good leaders inspire teams, drive innovation, and build cultures that enable success.

Here’s why investing in leadership matters backed by the numbers:

• Engaged employees perform better: Companies with highly engaged workforces outperform peers by 21% in profitability (Gallup).
• Leadership influences retention: 70% of employees say they would stay longer at a company with excellent leadership (LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report).
• Innovation thrives under good leaders: Organisations with strong leadership are 3.5x more likely to be innovation leaders in their industry (Deloitte).
• Financial performance: Companies with effective leadership outperform the market by up to 25% (McKinsey).

But beyond the stats, what’s important is being part of a team with a leader who you feel genuinely cares. A leader who doesn’t just manage a team but who inspires, empowers and develops others. Someone who fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous learning. In the words of Simon Sinek, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge. That’s the legacy.”

What’s your leadership legacy and what would people say about you when you have left the room?