How To Be a Good Ancestor.
Updated 11 June 2025
Be a Good Ancestor.
Have you thought about the legacy you’re leaving behind? For leaders, this question goes beyond personal life and stretches into the decisions that shape the trajectory of their organisations, industries, and even society. Being a good ancestor means making choices today that don’t just address immediate needs but pave the way for prosperity and sustainability for future generations. It’s about foresight, generational change, and long-term thinking.
This blog explores what it truly means to be a good ancestor in leadership, why looking ahead is vital, and how leaders can shift from short-term gains to strategic decisions that create enduring value.
Why Thinking About Tomorrow Matters.
It’s easy to assume tomorrow will mirror today. This mindset often dominates in business, where short-term thinking prioritises quarterly profits, immediate customer demands, and familiar market conditions. But in a world that’s constantly changing, due to technological innovations, environmental challenges, and shifting socio-economic trends, this approach is dangerously limiting.
When we base decisions solely on today’s needs, we unintentionally narrow the possibilities for future generations. Tunnel vision can lead to vulnerabilities, missed opportunities, and ripple effects that are difficult to reverse. Leaders face a critical challenge in trying to ensure that their actions not only solve today’s problems but also create a foundation for their futures.
Foresight is a Must.
The concept of foresight involves anticipating future scenarios and proactively preparing for them. It’s about scrutinising existing trends, imagining possible disruptions, and evaluating diverse outcomes. Leaders who practice foresight are better equipped to identify emerging challenges and uncover opportunities before they become obvious, giving their organisations a significant competitive edge.
With foresight, leaders can also align their business strategies with broader generational goals like sustainability, equality, or innovation, ensuring their companies remain relevant and impactful over time.
Key Areas for Good Ancestor Leadership.
To embody the principle of being a good ancestor, leaders must focus on two key areas:
Navigating Uncertainty with Agility
Uncertainty is a constant in today’s world. Instead of trying to avoid it, leaders should work on becoming comfortable with the unknown. Being agile in decision-making allows organizations to adapt quickly when unexpected changes occur. For example:
During the global pandemic, businesses with agile operations pivoted more effectively when faced with disruptions.
Companies that incorporate flexibility in their supply chains mitigate risks, whether it’s due to geopolitical issues or environmental crises.
Agile leadership involves keeping an open mind, experimenting with innovative solutions, and being ready to course-correct as new information emerges.
Expanding Global and Interdisciplinary Insights
Today’s business challenges are rarely confined to one region or industry. Decisions in one area can have wide-reaching effects, which is why leaders must take into account global perspectives and cross-industry insights. For example:
A technology company entering emerging markets must understand the economic, cultural, and infrastructural nuances of the region to sustain growth.
Retailers adopting AI might look to lessons learned by supply chain experts or consumer tech firms for best practices.
Incorporating diverse perspectives leads to better-informed decisions that are resilient and adaptive over time.
Shifting from Short-Term to Long-Term Thinking.
Short-term results are tempting. Visible and measurable, they reassure stakeholders and maintain momentum. However, this mindset comes with hidden risks, such as:
Overlooking sustainability efforts in favor of profit margins.
Neglecting workforce development, resulting in future skill gaps.
Undervaluing innovation due to higher upfront costs.
A long-term mindset prioritises investments in areas that ensure future growth and stability while maintaining ethical and sustainable practices. For instance:
Organisations that commit to reducing carbon emissions today position themselves to meet future regulatory requirements while winning favor with environmentally conscious consumers.
Investing in employee development programs now can help nurture future leaders for the company.
Long-term thinkers design their strategies with foresight, building businesses that thrive for decades, not just for the next financial year.
How to Cultivate a Good Ancestor Mindset.
Leaders can incorporate the following practices to become better ancestors:
Build Scenario Planning into Strategic Thinking
Scenario planning helps leaders consider multiple possible futures and develop plans to succeed in each. By mapping out multiple plausible scenarios, organisations are better prepared to tackle uncertainty while remaining flexible.
Adopt Inclusive Leadership
To leave a lasting legacy, leaders must empower a diverse group of stakeholders. Inclusive leadership ensures that differing viewpoints are considered, leading to solutions that are more equitable, innovative, and sustainable.
Measure Impact Differently
Traditional business metrics like quarterly earnings need to be supplemented with measures of long-term impact such as environmental sustainability, employee well-being, and innovation rates. KPI evolution aligns short-term gains with long-term goals.
Commit to Lifelong Learning
Leaders must stay curious and adaptable, continuously learning from new trends, technologies, and insights. Joining foresight programs, attending cross-industry workshops, and staying connected to global developments are all ways to grow this capability.
Encourage Future-Focused Conversations
Good ancestors surround themselves with teams that think beyond the present. By fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, leaders can ensure that their organisations remain proactive and prepared for the future.
Moving Forward as a Good Ancestor.
Leaving a legacy doesn’t require grand, overwhelming gestures. Often, meaningful contributions come from small, thoughtful actions that accumulate over time. Leaders who adopt foresight, prioritise generational change, and commit to long-term thinking are actively shaping a better tomorrow for their organisations and the world at large.
It’s time to ask yourself as a leader:
Am I preparing my organisation for the challenges and opportunities of the next decade?
If not, why wait to start?
By applying strategic foresight and fostering agility, you can balance present-day demands with future needs. Becoming a good ancestor is not just an ethical responsibility but a strategic advantage in an unpredictable world. The decisions you make today will echo through generations. Make sure they resonate positively.
