What Would You Pay
for a Picture of a Potato?

By Dr. Trish Holliday

What would you pay for a picture of a potato?

Seriously, a picture of a common spud? CBS news reported that such a picture sold for over one million dollars. Yes, you read that right, one million dollars was paid for a picture of a potato. Incredible. Why would anyone, regardless of how wealthy one is, pay such an amount for a photo of a potato?

The buyer was a German businessman, and the photographer was Kevin Abosch. It wasn’t the photo in and of itself that qualified for such a price tag, it was the reputation of the photographer. Kevin Abosch is known for his pictures of Silicon Valley insiders and celebrities. His photos have featured such famous individuals as Johnny Depp, Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg, and Yoko Ono. The exorbitant price tag was based on the reputation of the photographer. Much like paintings of artist such as Van Gogh and others, the name carries a lot of respect.

Serving as a leader has a similar context. Great leaders are famous for what they have done, for the legacy they leave behind, good or bad. Without fail, when in workshops on leadership, participants are asked to list leaders from history that are “famous,” individuals will list Lincoln, King, Washington, and Churchill. And they always mention Hitler. The difference is that though he was “famous,” Hitler is never classified as a leader that left a great legacy, and that because of what he did as a leader.

Every leader will leave a legacy, and that legacy is determined by how they led. Kouzes and Posner list five practices of great leaders: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. These practices set a leader apart, not due to charisma or fame, but by how they focus on achieving organizational goals, and focus on helping those that follow to achieve their own success. These practices enable one to humbly strive to be successful while investing in others.

If you haven’t read The Leadership Challenge, take the time to pick up a copy and digest the insights provided by the authors. Then, start implementing the five practices in your leadership journey, and build your legacy.