LEAVING AN EMPTY CHAIR

ishikalatwal
Apr 27
2 min read

Yesterday, I was conducting a workshop for senior leaders at a company, and during our session, something really caught my attention. Many of them expressed how proud they felt of their contributions to the organization and their teams. They shared with me that when they eventually leave the company, people would miss them so much that some might even think of leaving too. They felt immense satisfaction hearing things like, "There’s no leader like you," or "The company won’t be the same without you." While I understood their sentiment, I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Because, honestly, if you believe that your absence will create a void that no one can fill, then you have achieved very little as a leader. True leadership isn’t about being missed — it’s about what you leave behind.

As a leader, it is your responsibility to fill your chair before you leave it. Leadership is about growing others, nurturing talent, and building future leaders who can continue the vision without disruption. If your departure leaves a vacuum, that is not a sign of your greatness — it is a sign of failure. A real leader ensures there is no gap, no stumbling, no backward movement when they move on. Leadership demands that you develop people, mentor them, and make sure they are equipped to lead even better than you did. Feeling proud that you are irreplaceable or that people can’t function without you reflects more on your insecurity than your success.

The true measure of leadership fulfilment is when the company thrives in your absence, when your people rise and succeed because of the foundation you built. Yes, people should miss you — but they should miss you with gratitude, remembering you as the leader who prepared them, empowered them, and created a legacy of leadership. Don't be proud of leaving an empty chair. Instead, from today, focus on helping your people grow, help them achieve greatness, and ensure that someone is fully ready to step up the moment you move on. That is the real success of leadership — and that is when you will feel truly fulfilled.

Your Good Friend and Mentor

Payal Nanjiani

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