But how history will judge those same politicians is not always so clear.

Outgoing US president Barack Obama, ushered in amid so much hysteria and hope, is largely viewed by the American public as a disappointment.

After four years of Donald Trump, the foggy lens of history may be kinder to him.

Former Aussie PM Paul Keating was seen by many as smug and out-of-touch in his time at the Lodge.

Today, he’s a messiah of the left and viewed by millions as one of our greatest prime ministers.

It’s hard to know how retiring NSW Premier Mike Baird will be remembered.

The intense glare of the media and deep cynicism of the public means modern politics is a tough game for incumbents.

And there’s no doubt Mr Baird took some dramatic missteps.

His ill-conceived – and ultimately ill-fated – greyhound ban and forced council mergers were rightly savaged by voters in regional NSW and earned him a reputation as a city-centric leader.

And yet his decision to sell the state’s electricity infrastructure will deliver billions to the bush.

He was seen as a champion of big business and yet he stood up to the powerful alcohol lobby.

He was a poster boy for conservatism and yet led the nation on medical marijuana reform and was the first Premier to ask the federal government to increase quotas for Syrian refugees.

In a political landscape awash with populism, polls and focus groups, Mr Baird forged his own path. By doing so, he showed something sadly lacking in today’s politics – leadership.

He sought a reform agenda and didn’t let the tabloid media blur his vision.

When he was sworn in as Premier, many thought Mr Baird might enjoy a Menzies-esque leadership span.

Instead, he lasted just two years and nine months in the top job.

By that measure, he was a failure.

But by other measures – decency, integrity, electability – he was an impressive figure.

His decision to leave politics to spend more quality time with his ailing parents is consistent with those qualities.

And that alone should put him on the right side of history.