When I was traveling last week, I was reading an article in US Airways Magazine titled ‘A New Look for New Airline’. While I found the article about the integration of the US Airways and American Airlines livery interesting, I found something else even more compelling and that was the mindset of US Airways Management of how the Airlines legacy should live on. You see, US Airways built a legacy, a large successful airline merging with an iconic brand such as American Airlines. It was decided that the combined company would retain the iconic American Airlines brand.
Doug Parker, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines says…” As we move forward, we will remember to embrace our past. We plan to paint some ‘heritage’ aircraft-Modern planes painted with the logos from the past, from airlines that have formed today’s American. It represents the employees still with us who have worked for each of those seven airlines”
Ok…onto my thoughts, how do you build your business? Build a legacy or leave a legacy. In my opinion, you do both! One of the strange bewilderment of business is why so many entirely competent leaders finish their leadership journey without leaving behind much of a trace, while others–not necessarily more brilliant–leave behind a legacy. What is it about some leaders that enables them not only to make an impact during their careers, but to continue to change how people act and think in their organizations (sometimes, in an entire industry) even after they’ve gone?
Please share your thoughts… I want this blog post to be part of my legacy.
Looking for a good book on the subject, suggested reading;
- The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It Paperback – by Michael E. Gerber
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