I just read an interview of a college football player after spring practice. Being a senior, he was asked about his attention to leadership. His response was spot on.

He said he first concentrated on earning respect by working hard in the weight room, the film room and the practice field. His effort and results were impressive to his teammates. Consequently, he was granted the right to instruct, challenge and motivate those around him.

In the interview, he spoke not only about leading the team, but also preparing those who were his junior to fill leadership roles next year after he’s gone, just like last year’s seniors did with him. He said he’s just filling the shoes of those who have gone before him, hoping to be as successful as they were. Sounds an awful lot like succession planning—precisely what professionals generally don’t do well.

Along this line, I often ask successful professionals what made them who they are. Interestingly, they don’t talk about how smart they are. They don’t speak about the college they attended. They don’t even mention the firm they are with.

To a person, they refer to certain individuals who took them under their wing when they were young in their careers. They talk about the respect they had for their mentors. They talk about the experienced wisdom they learned from their models. They talk about the expectations and results that were required of them.

So I ask you: who were the two or three significant mentors who invested in you, spent valuable time with you, believed in you and encouraged you? Where would you be if they hadn’t? Final question: what are you doing to be a guide—a role model—a mentor to the younger professionals around you?

Learn from a college athlete. First concentrate on your own capabilities. Get good at what you do. Not perfect, but put forth the time and effort to establish your technical competence. Then, take someone(s) under your wing to teach them how to be good at what they do. Not perfect, but putting forth the time and effort required.

After all, your legacy isn’t on what you do, but on who you have prepared to step in your shoes to carry on your great work after you’re gone.

Set. Hut-hut!