\"The Legacy You Leave\" - John C. Maxwell - Global Leadership Summit 2025
When you think about your legacy, what comes to mind?
Is it the possessions you’ll leave behind?
The projects you completed?
The accolades on your résumé?
At the Global Leadership Summit, John C. Maxwell challenged us with a deeper perspective:
What you leave in someone’s life is far more important than what you leave for them.
This isn’t just a leadership principle—it’s a life principle. The true measure of your leadership is the impact you’ve made in the lives of others.
Three Truths About Legacy
1. I have a destiny to fulfill.
Psalm 139:16 tells us that our days were ordained before one of them came to be. You are here for a reason.
2. I have a contribution to make.
1 Corinthians 12:7 says that each of us is given a gift to benefit others. Your leadership isn’t just about position—it’s about contribution.
3. I have a legacy to leave.
2 Timothy 2:2 calls us to pass on what we’ve learned to others who will do the same. Your influence can outlive you if you intentionally invest it.
The Compass and the Clock
John used two vivid images to help us see our legacy in real time:
The Purpose Picture – The Compass
Question: Where am I going?
Your compass sets your direction. It’s the long-term vision for the kind of impact you want to have.
The Today Picture – The Clock
Question: What am I doing today?
Your clock keeps you accountable to the daily actions that move you toward that vision.
Both matter. The compass without the clock is just a dream. The clock without the compass is just a matter of busyness.
The Compounding Picture
There’s one more question that turns leadership from a solo journey into a multiplying force:
Who is going with me?
Great leaders don’t just build their own legacy—they bring others along, empowering them to create legacies of their own.
John closed with this challenge: High Road leaders are the best kind of leaders. They choose the higher path even when it’s harder, because the impact is worth it.
For a deeper dive, consider reading his book: Jesus, the High Road Leader.
Reflection Questions for Leaders:
Which of the three truths about legacy do you need to focus on right now?
Is your leadership compass clear and compelling?
Are your daily actions on the clock aligned with your long-term vision?
Who are you intentionally taking with you on your leadership journey?
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