The Kennedy 'Alumni' Association

There are dozens of lessons to be drawn from Sen. Kennedy's legacy. One in particular really stands out for me: sustained attention to the quality of his staff. By most reports, staff in his office and on his committees were among the best in the business. This can become a self-perpetuating virtuous cycle, as great people invariably cite "quality of colleagues" as a key driver in employment decisions.

The interesting development of having great people in his circle seems to have been the compounding effect across time. Over time, it appears that he gained personal leverage not only from the quality of people working with him at any one time, but from the breadth and impact of - for lack of a better term - his "alumni association."

This lesson is particularly valuable for leaders in today's world, where the concept of lifetime careers with an employer is now a distant memory. The ability to attract, develop, and retain great people now requires a parallel set of activities around supporting career transitions, maintaining contact, mobilizing, and - sometimes - re-recruiting great people.