Results

His life had been the classic lifetime climb to the pinnacle of corporate America. He rose to the top of one of America's premier financial institutions. He had not only led the company to new heights of success, but in his last chapter had even developed a significant business presence in the economic backwater area of his beautiful home state, generating jobs as well as an entire supporting economy around the business. The company also created a corporate training facility of breathtaking beauty and scope. This too created jobs and helped revitalize the area. He donated and developed property for a local school and athletic facilities.

All of this was the culmination of a vision to give back and do good. It deeply expressed his values as a person and his belief in the responsibility of corporate America to be exceptional citizens.

With all this in place, he retired, placing his legacy in the hands of a young man he hand-picked to be his successor. He rested in the deep satisfaction of having done good.

The dream turned into a nightmare in the next year, as the young successor saw an opportunity to sell the company to a competitor. A part of this sale was the break up and sale of all the businesses that meant so much to the small community. The young man retired early with hundreds of millions of dollars. The community was left with shuttered businesses. And the billionaire was left with ashes of a lifetime of work.

When we leave our legacy in the hands of others, we must look beyond their competency, and into their hearts.

Lesson? When we leave our legacy in the hands of others, we must look beyond their competency, and into their hearts. Unless their worldview, their driving purpose, their values, and their character align with the responsibility you bequeath to them, you will be disappointed. The apostle Paul understood this deeply when he sent his young successor, Timothy, on an important mission on his behalf. Listen to Paul's insight,

When developing successors for a legacy, competence is necessary, but more often than not legacies are lost due to misalignment of heart and purpose. What appears as loyalty may just be someone biding their time — waiting you out. Seek to have numerous deep conversations about purpose and values. Give assignments that require initiative related to these crucial matters.

“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”
— Philippians 2:20-21, NIV

Questions for Thought and Discussion

And consider the questions that arise out of Paul's insights:

1. Does the successor demonstrate the most foundational leadership trait: a genuine interest in the welfare of others?
2. Does he, even subtly, favor his own interests? Or does he look out for the interests of others as if they were his own?
3. Does he look out for the interests of Christ?
4. Has he proven himself by serving with others in something bigger than all of them?