Building Beyond Today: What It Takes to Create a Lasting Legacy

Cheryl McKissack Daniel sees leadership as the continuation of a legacy built through resilience, strategy, and relationships. As the fifth generation to lead McKissack & McKissack, she reflects on a family history that stretches back more than two centuries and explains how each generation invested in skills, relationships, and long-term thinking.

In this conversation, Cheryl shares how her mother taught her business development by pushing her to speak before she felt ready. That lesson helped her enter difficult rooms, connect with people, and build the confidence to become the first Black chair of the New York Building Congress in its 102-year history.

Cheryl also discusses fear, stress, and the responsibility of using leadership platforms to address difficult issues. Her practical advice is to treat courage like a beta test: try it, learn from the response, and remain true to yourself. She explains why effective leaders must be decisive, consistent, dependable, and willing to create an environment in which others can reach their full potential.