Build Your Work Legacy: a 5-Step Guide to Pursuing and Achieving Excellence
Legacy is a weighty word that makes us pause and think about the impact we’ll leave behind. Whether a monetary or physical asset, tradition, or accomplishment, it’s a torch we pass down to the next generation with a trust that they’ll continue building what we started.
A work legacy is no different. You can be an entrepreneur who hopes to pass down their business to a protégé, or a manager who plans to move up and provide their future replacement with the tools to succeed. You want to leave a responsibility or role better than you found it, becoming a positive influence wherever you step foot.
So, what are some practical ways for you to craft a work legacy that reflects your passions and ambitions while leaving a positive mark on others?
Here, we explore five tips to guide you.
1. Embody excellence in everything you do.
Excellence is more than just a habit. No matter the task, you want to consistently hold yourself accountable, view every challenge with an actionable mindset, and strive to meet high standards. It’s a commitment you make to put your best effort into all that you do, from customer engagement to project management.
You may want to ask yourself:
- How do my achievements contribute to my organization’s goals?
- How can I be someone that my colleagues deem reliable and trustworthy?
- Where do I have room to improve, and what steps can I take to get where I need to be?
- Am I setting healthy boundaries while still maximizing efficiency?
Not only does this mindset benefit your business and team, but it also empowers you to be confident in your abilities and take ownership of your personal growth. By committing yourself to excellence, you open doors to fresh opportunities and build resilience—while taking growing pains and achievements in stride.
2. Prioritize fueling your curiosity.
In one way or another, all of us are lifelong learners. When we intentionally feed our knowledge whether through courses, mentorship, or professional development, we create more avenues for impactful upskilling. In fact, a 2023 study on the future of work reports that analytical and creative thinking are top skills for employees. We need to carefully adapt to our world as it continues to shift, now at a more rapid pace than ever due to constant digital transformation.
Our curiosity can take us far. It allows us to explore uncharted territory but with resources and support to properly expand our horizons and lead us to exciting discoveries. We can be starting an entry-level role or navigating a more senior position, but the truth remains: there’s always more to learn, and we need to never tire of asking questions.
3. Align your goals with a greater cause.
It’s important to walk into any job with our personal career goals, but aligning them with the greater picture takes our journey to the next level. Why do companies spend so much time solidifying their mission statement? Why do 82% of U.S employees find value in a collective organizational purpose?
As humans, we find deeper fulfillment when we work toward a goal that surpasses individual success. It’s why CCWomen focuses so much on celebrating women and revolutionizing the business world—without a larger goal, our personal achievements don’t shine as brightly. When one person thrives, we want everyone to thrive.
Additionally, when we know others are championing a cause alongside us, we feel a sense of community that drives us to persist, even amid unforeseen difficulties. It’s why unity and solidarity are so vital to our professional ecosystem. So, if you haven’t already, ensure that your roadmap connects to a broader path.
4. Mentor and be mentored.
There’s no denying the benefits of mentorship. It accelerates growth for both mentees and their businesses while allowing for long-lasting, meaningful connections. Everyone needs mentors to:
- Close learning gaps
- Gain deeper understanding of an industry
- Process significant career changes
- Receive support and celebrate big wins
Finding mentors can be taxing, but it’s worth the effort if you want to solidify your network with people to challenge and uplift you. They’ll show you the ropes and lead you through uncertainties, so when the time comes for you to share your own knowledge and experience, you remember to pay it forward. There’ll always be someone who needs your insight, and becoming a source of empowerment is one of the most powerful ways to build a work legacy that you can be proud of.
5. Celebrate yourself and your community.
Your legacy is the totality of your narrative—as a professional and a human being. You want it to tell a complete, multifaceted timeline of your hardships, life lessons, and triumphs, because all of it is worth noting.
Especially as women, we've been socialized to keep quiet about our accomplishments. But if we don’t advocate for ourselves, no one else can tell our story the way it deserves to be told. In a similar realm, we must remember that we don’t get where we are alone. Without our community, our legacy is not the same.
Take the time to applaud yourself and your network of mentors, mentees, and colleagues. It can be a simple reflection post on LinkedIn or an enjoyable reward you can share with others, such as a team outing or self-care activity. Big or small, feel free to indulge in any form of celebration that draws more eyes to your successes. Bit by bit, it’ll inspire others to do the same.
Elevate your work legacy with CCWomen+.
At CCWomen, a membership platform for women and allies, we empower everyone to stand in their own spotlight. Through tangible career resources, engaging in-person and virtual events, and an ever-expansive network of business leaders, we champion you through every challenge and win.
Creating a legacy is vital to long-lasting success—and we want to be a part of your story.
Ready to enrich your career journey? Sign up to be a CCWomen+ member today!
