Shaping Your Leadership Legacy: What Will People Remember About You?

Vanessa Murphy
Sep 18, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2025

I recently received an email from IDEO, whose strategy courses I completed earlier this year. One line really stayed with me:

“If a headline were written about your leadership journey five years from now, what would it say?”

It's a simple question, yet it has profound implications. Knowing the story you want to tell tomorrow can help you make different choices today. Leadership isn’t just about delivering results in the moment; it’s about consciously shaping how people experience working with you. It's also about how they will talk about you long after.

The Importance of Legacy

This question reminded me of an organisation I once worked for that talked openly about legacy. Not just leadership legacy, but the broader question: What legacy will you leave as a citizen, a human, a leader, a manager? That idea has stayed with me because it expands the conversation beyond roles or KPIs. It makes it about the impact on people, communities, and workplaces.

Part of thinking about legacy is considering how you want people to remember you. If someone reaches out to you on LinkedIn in five years, what do you want them to say? Ideally, it’s something like:

Thank you for being such a good role model.
Thank you for taking a chance on me and giving me a go.
Thank you for the promotion, the opportunity, the support, etc.
Thank you for listening when I needed wisdom and direction.

That’s the kind of legacy most of us would want—not one where people remember a lack of care, support, or integrity.

Shaping Your Leadership Journey

Every leader has the capacity to shape this legacy. However, it requires self-awareness, reflection, and sometimes, guidance. That’s where having a trusted partner can make all the difference. At Two Heads HR, we work with leaders and organisations to align leadership behaviours, culture, and strategy. Our goal is to ensure that the stories people tell about you in the future are the ones you want them to tell.

We help leaders ask the right questions, reflect on their choices, and create meaningful impact today that resonates for years to come.

The Role of a Trusted Partner

Having a partner like Two Heads HR can be transformative. We provide the tools and support you need to navigate the complexities of leadership. With our help, you can focus on what truly matters: your people and your culture.

Imagine a future where your leadership is remembered for its positive impact. Wouldn’t that be something worth striving for?

If you’re ready to think about the headline of your leadership journey or the legacy of your organisation, reach out to Two Heads HR. Let’s make sure the story people tell in five years is one worth celebrating.

Conclusion

In conclusion, leadership is more than just a title or a role. It’s about the legacy you leave behind. By being intentional about your actions and decisions today, you can shape a future that reflects your values and aspirations.

So, what will your headline say in five years? Let’s work together to make it a great one!