The term legacy is actually used in the context of property law, a gift given by someone after death through will. As such, the term is also used quite often in relation to good works left behind and how this can inspire others to do the same. It is this latter meaning that we thought to throw some light upon especially in the context of our work ethics in whichever area of vocation we may be in. The question that all of us can perhaps ask ourselves is what kind of legacy am I going to leave behind, say after I retire from service or politics or when I leave one job and move to the other etc. For the many of us who are working, we need to take a time to introspect and see what kind of legacy we will be leaving behind when we go away. What will people remember me for? This is such a simple yet powerful question, something that none of us should for granted. All of us need to be conscious of how we are in our work places—as politicians, bureaucrat, hohos, church persons, journalists etc. It is not a question of if but what kind of legacy will we be leaving. After all we cannot not escape this judgement because it is inevitable that we are all going to have a legacy—whether bad or good, small or big etc. And just imagine the positive difference it will make if we are conscious of how we are in our work places. The little things like punctuality, hard work, to co-operate, honesty, accountability etc. these are sometimes taken for granted. If only we can reconnect with these basic work ethics, not only will we become valuable assets for others but our good example will be worthy of emulation.
And when we define legacy the question of leadership cannot be too far behind. Team building and leading with example from the front is what makes any challenge doable. And if you add the will to succeed, then nothing will seem impossible. If we as a society want to reach for the top and to be independent then we can no longer cling on to the old mindset of dependence on others to do our job. For this, there will have to be a major paradigm shift in attitude, belief, self image and work habits. We have to come out of the poor standard we set for ourselves or else it will stifle our progress. Perhaps we should take inspiration from the US where dignity of labour is a cherished value and where hard work is respected. It is not for nothing that the US has the world’s best entrepreneurs and most Fortune 500 companies. It remains as the most competitive major economy in the world. If we want to start uplifting our society then each one has a role to play—to give their best wherever they may be, whether a UDA or IAS officer in a government office, a Minister in his public role, GB in the village, Manager in a bank, journalist in the newsroom, a teacher in the classroom, an executive in a private firm, an engineer or contractor in their infrastructure line etc. At a time when our government system, social and political institutions or even we as citizens, we are failing to get things right, we need to evolve and come out with best practices that will encourage others as well and help raise the standard of work in Nagaland. If we can all try and become that role model, something good that can inspire others as well. That is the kind of legacy each one should try to leave behind.
