Office Buzz: When the Music Fades, the Legacy Plays On

In the corner of a small but busy office at a retail company in Accra sat Mr. Koomson, a man in his late fifties with a smile that could calm chaos and an attitude that turned crisis into coaching moments. His laugh echoed through the corridors like the chorus of a classic Daddy Lumba hit; familiar, reassuring, timeless.

Koomson wasn’t flashy. He didn’t lead from the front of the boardroom or claim headlines in company newsletters. But like a good bassline, you always felt his presence;  steady, dependable, and crucial to the harmony of the team. He onboarded dozens of fresh graduates, mentored middle managers, and gave the tough love needed when targets weren’t met.

And then one Monday morning, he was gone.

Not in a tragic sense, he had simply resigned quietly and left his role after nearly 20 years. No send-off party, no grand announcement. Just a signed resignation letter and a note that read: “Keep doing great things. I’ll be cheering from the sidelines.”

The office felt... odd. Like something was missing. It was only then that his colleagues began to notice just how many systems he had quietly improved. How many lives he had shaped. He remembered everyone’s birthday. The calm he brought to team meetings was truly appreciated. The Friday highlife playlists he curated, very nostalgic, and his encouragement made interns believe they could be CEOs.

A month after he left, they still called his name in meetings: "What would Mr. Koomson say?" "Let’s check the folder he created;  he always had backups." "Remember when Koomson said, 'Customers aren’t difficult, they’re just un-listened to'?"

He had become... unforgettable.

Just like Daddy Lumba’s songs, which still fill trotros, radios and wedding receptions decades later, Koomson’s influence lived on long after he stepped away. His contribution had gone beyond his job description. It had become part of the company's rhythm.

Moral of the Story

In the corporate world, your title may expire, but your impact doesn’t. Every solution you provide, every colleague you uplift, every lesson you pass down,  that’s your legacy. So even when you leave the building, make sure your “music” keeps playing.

Here are 5 powerful ways to be remembered even after you leave an organisation.

1. Be a Knowledge Sharer, Not a Gatekeeper

People remember those who empower others. Document your processes, mentor teammates, and leave behind guides or tools that help the team thrive even after you're gone. Your systems should speak for you long after your desk is empty.

2. Build Relationships, Not Just Networks

Colleagues remember how you made them feel. Take time to connect genuinely, celebrate birthdays, check in on personal milestones, and lend a listening ear. People don’t forget kindness. Your name becomes a warm memory, not just a LinkedIn connection.

3. Bring Solutions, Not Just Reports

Be known for finding answers. Whether you improved a process, resolved a tough client issue, or streamlined workflows, your legacy lies in the change you sparked not just the tasks you completed. Impact outlasts presence.

4. Champion Others' Growth

Lift as you climb. Support the intern’s ideas, endorse a colleague for a new role, or speak up for the unseen. When you help others grow, your influence multiplies across the organisation. The seeds you plant in people will grow into trees of remembrance.

5. Live the Culture You Want to Leave Behind

Walk the talk. Embody integrity, positivity, professionalism, and excellence. When you consistently show up with the right attitude and values, your legacy becomes the blueprint for others. People won’t just remember what you did, they’ll remember how you did it.

Remember, jobs end, but legacies echo. Whether you're a leader or team player, make your time count because the best way to leave… is to be missed for all the right reasons.

This is the office buzz!

Work, Culture and everything in between. 

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