Episode 78 - the word is monument

Would They Build a Monument to You?

In this episode of "The Word is Leadership," I explore the connection between monument (our random word) and leadership.

I am in a thoughtful mood today as I ask myself, and you, the question: who would you immortalise as a leader worthy of a monument? I challenge you to consider not just famous figures, but the everyday leaders who've shaped your own leadership approaches.

The episode unveils what I hope is a powerful insight – we don't build monuments to commemorate people, but rather to honour the feelings these individuals stirred within us.

Great leaders aren't remembered for what they said or did, but for how they made others feel. The most impactful leaders make people feel stronger and more capable, nudging them toward growth they didn't believe possible.

Through a guided thought experiment involving Trafalgar Square's empty fourth plinth, I encourage listeners to reflect on their leadership heroes and why these figures resonate so deeply. The episode concludes, as usual, with a question. This week I ask "Would they build a monument to you?"

This introspective journey reminds us that leadership isn't about grandeur – it's about the lasting impression we leave on others' hearts and minds.