For the past few years, I have been volunteering for an organization that hosts the world’s largest collegiate leadership conference each summer. Last week, we had roughly 1,500 participants and facilitators converge upon the University of Missouri for a few days to explore the not-so-subtle difference between leaders who are “effective” and those who are both “effective” and “enduring.” We divided up the curriculum into three essential elements of enduring leadership:

• Embody the traits of a values-based leader by modeling the way for the organization
• Engage each stakeholder in the shared vision of the organization and the process of operational excellence
• Empower successors to carry out the vision after your term of direct influence has expired

One question that came up during the conference was whether enduring leaders make a conscious effort to embody, engage and empower or if those things come naturally for them. I think the answer is that it doesn’t matter. Whether it comes naturally or not, any leader can excel in these areas.

In my closing address, the example that I used of a truly enduring leader was the late Bill Walsh, former head coach of the San Francisco Forty-Niners. Walsh’s resilience through difficult times (including his recent battle against Leukemia), the reflection of the organization on his embodied values and his engagement of each member of the team in attention to detail and an exemplary work ethic were all secondary to his love for education and mentorship. The progeny of coaches and hall of famers who have been directly or indirectly mentored by Walsh is astounding. His coaching tree illustrates the effect that his mentorship has had on the National Football League.

Since my audience hailed from every state and province of the United States and Canada, I was a bit concerned that my message might be a bit too California-centric. I am a longtime resident of the San Francisco Bay Area and a lifelong 49ers fan, so I was worried that I was broaching a subject that was more important to me than our participants. I was absolutely wrong. When I placed the front page of the 7/31 San Francisco Chronicle with Bill Walsh's picture on the projector, everybody knew what I was going to say before I began talking.  The mere photograph of Walsh said a thousand more words about enduring leadership than I could possibly say in my address.

So, I’ll leave you with two questions: Who has been a truly enduring leader in your life? Are you simply focused on being effective or will your leadership also endure beyond your ability to directly influence your organization?