I write often here about the idea of making an impact and leaving a legacy. Those contributions go beyond talent and individual accolades. Anyone, from the starter to the bench player, the lead to the understudy, the editor to the staff writer, the elected officer to the title-less role-player, can bring enough of whatever they have to contribute that they 1) make a difference while they’re involved, and 2) are missed when they are gone.
Retiring soccer player, Abby Wambach, is the all-time leading U.S. goal-scorer in both World Cup and Olympic competition. Her 184 goals in international play is the most by any player, male or female. She also captained the US National Team to two Olympic gold medals and the 2015 World Cup championship. In honor of her final game on December 15, Nike released a tribute video featuring her teammates. What’s particularly notable, to me, is how many of their sentiments go beyond her greatness as a player, and speak more to the personal values like hard work, character, and positivity that they will miss when she’s gone.
What would it take for you to make that kind of impact? On your team, in your club, at your part-time job, with your group or organization—what would you have to do to make people speak so wonderfully about you, the difference you made, and how much you’ll be missed when you move on?
Impact and legacy last much longer than individual accolades do.