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Chicago — Recently, I’ve been asking some of my C-suite interviewees what they believe their legacy will be when it’s all said and done. Many want to be remembered as leaders who demonstrated expertise and added value to the organizations they worked for. Others want to be remembered as someone who put their teams first and inspired others. A long list of leaders have pointed to mentorship aspirations.
As an early career professional, it’s hard to think about what my legacy will be. It feels like there’s too many chapters left in my career journey to even speculate. But perhaps now is the perfect time for my Gen Z colleagues and I to be thinking about it. Whatever ideas we come up with can frame the kind of career experiences we seek out. Here’s how:
Choose to work with leaders you want to be like
What better way to grow into your purpose than to spend a lot of time with someone who managed to find theirs? If we wish to be someone who’s a good listener, we should surround ourselves with those who are slow to speak. If we wish to be better problem solvers, we should work with those who are proficient at it. It can be powerful just to be around individuals who managed to become what we want to become. It not only provides inspiration but a potential roadmap to the legacies we wish to build.
Choose the roles that teach skills you want to have
When you create a roadmap for the legacy you want to leave behind, think about the experiences you’ll need to get there. That might mean spending some time in local law enforcement before applying to the FBI. Maybe you’ll have to spend a few years at law firms as a generalist before becoming general counsel at a company you admire. Each role should build on the previous one and prepare you for where you're going.
Build the relationships that you’ll need
No one gets where they’re going on their own. It’s a cliche for a reason … it’s true. Networking events, Christmas parties and annual conferences are filled with the people you’ll need to get to where you want to be. They might not always have a job offer waiting for you, but they might spark an idea for you to pursue or teach you something you need to keep in mind. Maybe they know someone who knows someone that you need to know. Every genuine relationship you build serves as a foundation to the career you're creating for yourself.
Noah Johnson (he/him/his) is a Chicago-based journalist. Follow him on X: @noahwritestoo.
Edited by NaTyshca Pickett