Why Legacy Work Requires Inclusive Leadership
What does it really mean to build a lasting legacy? For working women—especially those navigating under-resourced environments—it’s not just about career milestones. It’s about leading with purpose, creating space for others, and staying rooted in community.
Yet, nearly 60% of professional women feel unsupported at work—lacking mentorship, visibility, or spaces to grow authentically (LeanIn.org, 2023). That disconnection isn’t a coincidence. It’s a structural problem—and we need to name it.
Why Legacy Work Requires Inclusive Leadership
What does it really mean to build a lasting legacy? For working women—especially those navigating under-resourced environments—it’s not just about career milestones. It’s about leading with purpose, creating space for others, and staying rooted in community.
Still, nearly 60% of professional women report feeling unsupported at work—lacking mentorship, visibility, or safe environments for growth (LeanIn.org, 2023). That disconnection isn’t accidental. It’s systemic—and it’s time we call it out.
The Real Barrier: Community, Connection, and Recognition Are Missing
Too often, women are sold the myth that success must be a solo pursuit.
During Grown Woman Wednesday, Tiara Wheatley shared, “I was a self-appointed family manager and I still am. All things around me—I just gotta be in charge of.” That instinct to lead, support, and protect is common. However, what many of us lack are the spaces that support us while we lead.
“There was a need for connection and community… Now I know that joy was part of why I was sticking with it. The kids just needed more joy.” — Tiara Wheatley
Tiara’s insight, drawn from her work with the Young Women’s Leadership Society (YWLS), speaks volumes. The gap she described is not unique to schools. It exists in startups, nonprofits, and corporations too. Microaggressions, invisibility, and isolation continue to drain our power.
The Cost of Disconnection
Without community, the consequences pile up:
- Burnout increases.
- Career growth slows.
- Self-doubt creeps in.
Tiara recalled being told to minimize her work: “Leave it at the after school club. Just a little thing that isn’t special.” How many of us have received the same message—directly or indirectly?
Breakthroughs don’t happen in a vacuum. They happen in community. Tiara’s clarity came when she stopped focusing on the silence and started noticing who was clapping.
“For the two to three hands that are not clapping for me, I got a hundred that are.” — Tiara Wheatley
This shift didn’t just validate her—it fueled her next chapter.
The Shift: Build Legacy Through Inclusive, Community-Centered Leadership
We’re not here to survive systems. We’re here to rebuild them—together.
Inclusive leadership isn’t just about a title. It’s about showing up intentionally, creating space for others, and refusing to shrink. When we lead with community, we expand what’s possible—for ourselves and those coming behind us.
Here’s how to build what’s next—for you and your legacy:
1. Buildity by Design, Not Default Don’t wait for safe spaces. Create them. Build your circle with people who hold you up and hold you accountable. That’s where your power lives.
2. Lead with Your Values in Every Room Don’t compartmentalize your leadership. Bring your full self—at work, at home, and in community. Consistency builds trust and shows others what’s possible.
3. Celebrate Loudly and Often Say it when someone shines. Speak the impact you see. Visibility changes everything.
4. Let Go of the Wrong People If they’re not clapping for you, stop performing for them. Focus on the ones who get it—and on the vision you’re building.
5. Be the Mentor You Once Needed You don’t have to wait to be asked. Advocate. Encourage. Show up. That’s how we build legacies that last.
Let’s Keep This Real
How have you built your own support system? Where have you struggled to lead while feeling unseen? What helped you stay grounded in your values?
👇 Share your reflections below. You’re not the only one holding it all—and you don’t have to carry it alone.
Join the Community That’s Changing How We Lead
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Join the Diversiology community for authentic support, leadership tools, and real conversations like this one. You don’t have to figure it out solo—and you shouldn’t have to.
Let’s build legacies—together.
