Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
Have you ever thought about what your team will say about you after you’re gone?
I have. A lot, actually. And not in a morbid or self-indulgent way—but in the most human, honest sense possible. Because how you’re remembered as a leader isn’t something that just happens. It’s something you build every single day, through the words you use, the way you show up, and how you make people feel.
I talk to leaders all the time who are focused on the next deadline, the next big pitch, or the next leadership course their company wants them to attend. That’s all good stuff. But I always ask them, what’s the point of it all if you’re not intentional about the impact you’re leaving behind?
Legacy isn’t about titles
Your legacy won’t be defined by your LinkedIn profile. No one will remember how many meetings you ran or how many reports you signed off. They’ll remember how you made them feel in the tough moments. Whether you created an environment where they felt safe to speak up. Whether you had their back.
I was reminded recently—through a story I read about a leader who’d passed unexpectedly—that legacy can sneak up on you. The team didn’t talk about how clever he was or how long he worked. They talked about how he listened without judgement. How he’d take a moment to ask about their kids, even during high-pressure shutdowns. That was the mark he left.
It made me reflect on what I’d want people to say about me. And it’s why I believe every leader should read this article that explores how to start thinking about your legacy in a grounded, human way.
You already have a legacy. The question is—are you choosing it?
Whether you realise it or not, you’re leaving a trail behind you. People are forming impressions. They’re shaping stories about you. The question is—are you shaping that story on purpose, or is it just happening in the background?
I once heard someone say, “You don’t write your legacy. Others write it for you. But you give them the pen.” That stuck with me. Every action you take is a line in the story others will tell. So the more you lead with integrity, honesty, and calm under pressure, the more that story becomes one you’d be proud to hear.
Your values show up when no one is watching
Legacy shows up in small moments. It’s whether you take the time to give feedback that’s hard to hear but still kind. It’s whether you hold yourself to the same standards you expect from your team. It’s whether you remember that leadership isn’t about being liked—it’s about being real.
I often remind leaders that their “consistency” matters more than their charisma. Want to be remembered for something solid? Then show up the same way on a bad day as you do on a good one. These questions are a powerful tool to reflect on what that might look like for you.
What will you role model?
Some of the best leaders I’ve worked with don’t need to raise their voices to be heard. They model care, courage, and calm. That’s what sticks.
That’s also why I wrote about creating a personal leadership mantra. It gives you something to anchor to when things get messy. Because let’s face it—things will get messy. But your legacy will be built in how you respond when they do.
Your legacy isn’t just yours
One thing I’ve noticed over and over again? The best legacies aren’t about the leader—they’re about the people around them. When your team grows, takes bold action, or feels safe to challenge ideas, that’s your legacy playing out in real time.
I recently spoke with someone who worked under a leader who always said, “My job is to make sure you’re better than me in five years.” That kind of thinking is legacy in motion. Want to know what that looks like in practice? Here’s another article that captures some powerful legacy behaviours in action.
What are you actively creating?
Legacy leadership doesn’t just happen in the background. It takes effort, clarity, and a few key practices. If you’re serious about it, start by defining what you want to be remembered for—and then make small daily decisions that move in that direction.
And if you’re feeling a bit stuck or unsure where to start, I’ve broken down some thoughts in our post on who you’re becoming as a leader. That question alone can shift your entire approach.
If you want help crafting your legacy, don’t do it alone
I work with leaders every day who want to be more intentional in how they lead, how they connect, and how they’re remembered. Whether that’s through a leadership keynote or a more hands-on coaching program, we help you stay calm under pressure and focused on what matters most.
Want to talk about what’s next for you? Let’s have a real conversation. Reach out to me here.
Your leadership legacy doesn’t start one day in the future. It starts today.
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UPGRADE your Mindset
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