Your legacy as an executive is shaped by every choice, challenge, and success you make. As a director crafts the final version of a film, so too does an executive’s journey require meticulous planning, adaptation, and unwavering dedication to shaping the world. The end result is important, but it’s also about your ability to evolve, direct and adjust along the path.
Bardya Ziaian exemplifies what it means to be an accomplished executive by seamlessly blending the art of strategic leadership with the creativity and vision of a filmmaker, directing both business outcomes and organizational culture with precision, passion, and a deep understanding of human connection.
When referring to legacy in leadership, it is sometimes compared with the final cut of an animated film. It is the culmination months or years of effort, when every aspect is scrutinized and evaluated for meaning, impact, and longevity. In the same way that directors have to make difficult choices regarding which scenes they want to retain and which ones to remove, executives also face complex issues affecting their organizations’ growth, culture, or direction. The decisions made by leaders, however difficult they may be, will determine their reputation.
To direct your legacy effectively, an executive must first establish a clear vision. This is your script for leadership–it’s a blueprint that defines goals, guides team decisions and helps align them. Like filmmakers who work closely with the crew of their film, a company executive needs to cultivate relationships within their staff, making sure that they all understand their respective roles and how each can contribute to achieving long-term objectives. To build a positive and impactful legacy, collaboration and mutual trust are crucial.
An adaptability is also a key element to creating a legacy. Unpredictable changes in the film industry are common, ranging from unexpected weather conditions to last minute script rewrites. The landscape of business changes constantly, which means that an executive should be able and willing to embrace and innovate. Legacy means more than maintaining control. Legacy also involves leading the business to overcome challenges and stay true to their values.
A filmmaker’s greatest lesson is to teach patience. In the same way, a filmmaker’s reputation isn’t created overnight. The ability to make mistakes and learn from them is essential. Also, a constant focus on what’s best for the organization will help. You must stay on course even when you are faced with uncertainty or failure.
Finally, great executives, like filmmakers, know the power of story-telling. Through your decisions and actions you tell stories throughout your life. The story of a strong leader is one of character, resilience, and influence. It isn’t just what you have accomplished that defines your legacy, it is how you motivate and encourage others.
It is important to note that directing legacy in your role as an executive, is very similar to creating the final film cut. The process involves collaboration, vision, adaptability, patient, and storytelling. These principles can help ensure your leadership narrative is a story that will resonate, inspire, and leave a mark in the world.