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Brain Circuits
Longevity in office – good or bad?
Longevity was once seen by traditionalists as a proxy for good leadership, but successive generations attach less value to length of time served. As with anything, there are benefits and disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons of longevity to consider when faced with an opportunity or when you are feeling disengaged.
Longevity can be an asset…
- Institutional knowledge
Those with longevity in an organization understand the history and context, possessing awareness of the strategic patterns of the business and the “why’ behind choices. There are undoubted benefits of being a historian: you can help with onboarding new executives, act as a strategic thought partner, and navigate effectively across multiple business functions.
- Wide network
With longevity comes much exposure to the people and the business. Having an established network helps with influence, the ability to “connect the dots” quickly, and an awareness of nuances needed across teams and functions. A broad base of relationships also opens up opportunities for two-way mentorship.
- Cultural awareness
Whereas institutional knowledge is more about work and the products, cultural awareness is about the “how”. Here, those with longevity in an organization can navigate quicker and understand nuances to move the work faster. They tend to know the company rules and procedures, which helps with maintaining a smooth operation.
… but beware the longevity trap
- Retain a learning mindset
A learning mindset helps combat career plateaus. Beware of “navel gazing”; remain open to new ideas and skills and stay up to date with industry developments. Set aside time weekly to look externally at trends to spark innovation. As four-time Olympic sprint gold medalist Maurice Greene said, “To be number one, you must train like you are number two.”
- Don’t stray too far from the front line
Never lose touch with what’s happening on an operational level and spend as much time as possible with customers, employees, and other stakeholders. Work is dynamic and your experiences will get dated, so invest time in seeking to understand as a way to remain relevant. As a sign on the wall of former IBM CEO Lou Gerstner read, “A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world”.
- Surround yourself with great people
Some equate longevity with power, but complacency is an active threat to longevity. Stay on your toes by surrounding yourself with people who are not only the best at what they do but have their eyes on your job in the long term.
Key learnings
Longevity can be a tremendous advantage, but it works best when you remain curious, stay close to the work, and keep elevating the people around you. The moment you stop learning or believe tenure equals security, you start to drift. Build roots, yes, but retain your edge.
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