How to Create a LEGACY That Leaves a Lasting and Meaningful Impact on Others

Summary: For this special edition, I want to spotlight the profound significance of LEGACY as a cornerstone of life and career mastery, regardless of age. Through insights from esteemed leaders and legacy builders like TIAA CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, ESSENCE CEO Caroline Wanga, in addition to the enduring influence of BLACK ENTERPRISE, and advocacy work of New York Times Bestselling author Uché Blackstock, we explore best practices for crafting a powerful and meaningful LEGACY.

As we take this moment to celebrate the history and impact of many timeless treasures of Black excellence, we are reminded of the profound significance of the word LEGACY.

This season invites us to reflect not just on the impactful stories that have shaped our past but also on how we are contributing to the narrative of our future.

Especially for those of us in what I call the "magical middle" — whether it's mid-career, mid-life, or amidst a meaningful transition.

As I recently expressed in my Word of the Day Series video, it is crucial that we reflect on the mark and the LEGACY we wish to leave on the world—both professionally and personally.

This is a moment where the word LEGACY takes on more meaning.

That's because this is the stage where many of us as seasoned professionals are standing at the crossroads of experience and ambition.

While the concept of LEGACY seems pretty straightforward, its potential for massive impact involves an intentional and multilayered approach, based on introspection and outward intention.

For this edition of the newsletter, I want to showcase a selection of esteemed legacy leaders who are making a massive impact on the world—while also highlighting the depth and diversity of best practices that are essential and foundational to building a meaningful legacy:

• Being True to Your Authentic Self
• Embracing Imperfections Along Your Journey
• Connecting the Dots From Your Past

Let's explore.

Building Your LEGACY is About Being True to Your Authentic Self

One aspect we often overlook is that our LEGACY should be a true reflection of our core values and beliefs.

This is a virtue that healthcare executive and C-Suite leader Cindy Kent has understood and embraced all so well.

As one of the phenomenal leaders featured in the #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series, Cindy was recently invited to share her insights at a recent J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, where she joined a distinguished panel of women trailblazers for a discussion titled "Women Mean Business."

During the conversation, Cindy talked LEGACY and also about having "soul joy" — a term she coined to describe those moments those moments when she is bursting at the seams with optimism, happiness and hope.

As Cindy stated:

"Can I make soul joy? Can I stop doing the things that don't bring me to soul joy? Whether it's personal or professional. Especially at this point. I'm at LEGACY stage now — of running towards those things that really will make me happy. And it has nothing to do with the ease of the work. It's the enjoyment in bringing my whole authentic self to the party."

Cindy's reflections serve as a powerful reminder that building a legacy transcends achievements, accolades, and success.

It's fundamentally about significance, and the pursuit of fulfillment and authenticity, while we're making an impact on others.

Two "Fabulous Over 40" CEOs Embrace Imperfections as Part of Their LEGACY

“Sometimes I am a mess when it comes to not being the perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect sister, the perfect friend, the perfect daughter. But that mess means I’m giving it all that I have. I’m leaving it all out there, mess and all—because when you love and when you’re giving your best, the best comes with mess. The mess helps me to appreciate the beauty.”

Part of being authentic is accepting imperfections and even failures along your personal journey. This is what strengthens your resolve, and in part, defines your LEGACY.

When Essence Communications Inc. CEO Caroline A. Wanga (another amazing #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series leader) created the 'Chief to Chief' series for the legacy media brand, her goal was to inspire every Black woman to recognize the chief that already exists within—by introducing the ones who live among us.

Whether they are 'chiefs' of home, culture, community, or all the mentioned, no matter their station.

One of those inspiring 'Chief to Chief' conversations, titled "Love, Loss, And Legacy," featured in the July/August 2023 issue, was with Thasunda Brown Duckett , who serves as the President & CEO of TIAA .

A history maker, Thasunda is one of two African-American women to currently lead a Fortune 500 company, and is just the fourth African-American woman in history to serve as a Fortune 500 CEO.

Also in August 2021, Thasunda was actually the first leader I featured to introduce the Fabulous Over 40 Spotlight Series.

During their conversation, Caroline and Thasunda shared their respective insights into how the experiences of both love and loss have profoundly influenced their perspectives on LEGACY.

Thasunda also took time to reflect on the relationship between vulnerability, legacy, and impact—and why she considers herself "a mess" at times, in her multifaceted roles, both personally and professionally.

This conversation between Caroline and Thasunda is a reminder and reinforcement that LEGACY is strengthened through our most human moments—through the love we pour into our work and the people we care about, and even through the losses, struggles, and imperfections we navigate along the way.

Also, make sure you check out Caroline's new LinkedIn Learning course: "Five Fails a Day", where she further explores the notion of imperfection and her adopted philosophy and rally call to change our relationship with failure, as a threshold to maximize each day.

And a related note of gratitude:

I want to once again give a very special thank you to ESSENCE for featuring me as a full-page profile in their previous May/June print issue (which was their special annual Men's edition) for the article titled "Gen X Leaders Are Dominating the C-Suite" which was penned by Ebony Flake .

The story featured insights on how the middle generation is now holding the keys to the boardrooms and shaping the future of work for everyone.

This honor has not only spotlighted the influence of our generation but also amplified my connection to a legacy brand I have revered for years, that champions Black excellence and leadership.

And I am beyond grateful for being part of the ESSENCE legacy forever.

Connect the Dots From Your Past to Your Purpose — and LEGACY

"I will never forget that article because first of all — that was the first time I saw the term 'Generation X' being characterized for people in my generation. And it talked about this up and coming generation of 20 somethings."

As we think about planning our future impact and creating our legacy, it's important to never forget those precious and pivotal moments of the past.

Many times, we underestimate the gems of connecting our experiences in life to our purpose, and thus, our LEGACY.

To illustrate further, below is a very personal story during a conversation with Alfred Edmond Jr. , SVP and Editor-at-large of Black Enterprise Magazine , a brand that has influenced my journey, and the way I view my legacy.

During my appearance on the show "Beyond The Hype" hosted by Alfred, I shared the story of how a 1997 cover story on Gen X changed my life and became a direct pathway to my current mission of helping people master and maximize their "middle" years.

My story about how Black Enterprise has, and continues to be an exemplar of mastery and excellence for me, serves as a testament to the value of looking back and connecting the dots between our past experiences to the possibilities of legacy and purpose.

And for those of us in the "magical middle," (mid-career, midlife, etc.) who are looking to pivot, find meaning, or embrace a new chapter, we must remember— the dots always connect.

Our experiences, enlightened by those meaningful moments of clarity and inspiration, can definitely pave the way for a LEGACY that is uniquely ours, and also opportunities to advocate for others.

Special MASTERY Mention: Dr. Uche Blackstock's "LEGACY"

I want to give a special shoutout and huge congrats to Uché Blackstock, MD for her recently released book and New York Times Bestseller LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.

Uché is also one of the remarkable leaders celebrated in the #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series.

Her impact in the medical field is also another example of connecting the dots of a profound family legacy of medical excellence and advocacy.

She, along with her twin sister Oni Blackstock, MD, MHS , are second-generation physicians. Their late mother, Dr. Dale Blackstock also studied at Harvard Medical School.

This makes them the first Black mother-daughter legacy from Harvard Medical School. 

And now, Uché's book and her continued work of advancing health equity for the underserved exemplifies and enduring LEGACY that transcends and inspires change.

In Closing: It's Never Too Late to Build Your LEGACY

As we reflect on the insights and practices from embracing authenticity, recognizing our imperfections, harnessing the power of mentorship, it is evident that building a LEGACY is an intricate, intentional, and profoundly powerful journey.

It's about aligning our actions with the values we cherish and the mark we wish to leave on the world.

No matter your age or career stage—whether you're a seasoned professional or someone just embarking on their professional path—remember, it's never too late to shape, redefine, and reimagine your LEGACY.

Each day presents a new opportunity to write a narrative that not only defines your moment in time but also inspires others for years to come.

Gratitude and Reminders

Thank you so much for reading this edition of the Mid-Career Mastery Newsletter. I am honored and I truly appreciate it. If you enjoyed this article, please share with others who you think would receive value from it.

Also don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already to be notified when new editions are published!

About The Author:

Adrion Porter is a speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice, workforce strategist, age inclusion advocate, and the founder of Mid-Career Mastery®, a consultancy for organizations and their mid-career and seasoned talent.

A former 20+ year marketing executive, Adrion is now on a mission to help others master and maximize their transformative middle years and beyond.

Adrion is frequently invited by organizations around the world to present his signature model, The Mastery Map™, which codifies three proven pillars of transformation for navigating and thriving in your career at any age or stage.

For keynote speaking, workshop, or thought partnership inquiries, please reach out to Adrion here on LinkedIn, and/or visit: adrionporter.com.