Building a Legacy: Lesson’s from History’s Great Leadership Transitions

Winston Churchill once said, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” If we’re going to raise up a forward-thinking generation of leaders who can rise to the challenges of our day, we must mine the gems of wisdom, like this, left by pioneers from the past.

For both the seasoned forerunner seeking to pass on their legacy and the developing next-generation leader in training, we can accelerate and amplify our fruitfulness by studying those who’ve already charted the course long before us. In anticipation of the transformative insights to be shared about the “changing of the guard” at the International Leadership Summit 2025, let’s highlight some of the great leadership transitions throughout history.

NELSON MANDELA: PRIORITIZING A NATION OVER SELF-INTEREST

Nelson Mandela is celebrated as one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century for guiding South Africa out of the oppressive system of apartheid into a new democratic era. His years in prison, eventual freedom, and rise to the presidency are marked as some of the greatest achievements in personal perseverance the world has seen.

Yet, one of Mandela’s greatest feats was transitioning his presidency to his deputy, Thabo Mbeki. In an unprecedented move, Mandela decided to step down and hand over the reins of leadership, prioritizing the long-term health of the nation over any potential for personal power. He knew that if too much focus was placed on his own leadership, it could lead to autocracy and undermine the needs of the people.

Mandela understood that collaboration is a key component of true leadership. Through mentorship, he groomed and supported the next generation of leaders. As a result, Mbeki’s rise to power was a direct outcome of collaboration, mentorship, and succession planning, which allowed South Africa to navigate the rocky waters following the end of apartheid.

STEVE JOBS: APPLE’S VISIONARY PASSES THE BATON

Apple had long been one of the most successful tech companies in American history. Yet, when its innovative leader, Steve Jobs, fell ill, he knew he had to step down to prioritize his health. Jobs was an incredibly difficult act to follow, especially since this transition happened at one of the most pivotal moments in the company’s history — just as they were on the brink of their revolutionary breakthrough with the iPhone.

Jobs understood the importance of ensuring that Apple had a strong leadership pipeline that would outlast his tenure. As a result, Tim Cook was able to preserve Apple’s innovative culture while introducing new management styles. This transition shows the importance of maintaining Jobs’ foundational values while embracing evolving leadership styles.

MOSES AND JOSHUA: LEADING FROM SLAVERY TO THE PROMISED LAND

Moses is known for facing one of the greatest leadership challenges in history — leading millions of Israelites out of slavery and through a 40-year wilderness experience. Despite the many ups and downs of his leadership journey, one of Moses’ most notable achievements was ensuring that Joshua was prepared to take the reins after his own failure to enter the Promised Land.

So many leaders allow their hurt and pride to cloud their judgment and effectiveness after a failure. However, Moses submitted to God’s will and, after years of mentorship, laid hands on Joshua, passing the leadership mantle to him. Joshua had already been preparing for years by serving under Moses.