Thinking long-term in a short-term world
BUILDING FOR CENTURIES
Hi, I’m Matthew Powell, CEO and fourth-generation steward of Century Companies. In a world of short-term thinking, I’m seeking to build great things alongside great people to compound over decades.
I started my career in the investment banking world drowning in 90-day sprints and 5-year flips. I witnessed this finite time horizon as a forcing function of short-term thinking. The inescapable reality for any organization is that greatness takes time. There are no shortcuts to sustainable, regenerative outcomes.
I’m on a long-term journey to help build institutions with an unlimited time horizon where it’s possible to uphold profits and humanity.
Part of my approach to this journey is to learn, read, and take notes along the way to share with the others who are building for the long term.
Let’s build for centuries!
The vision: Building for Centuries
Imagine businesses built on a foundation to transcend generations.
Moving from a short-term transaction to a long-term transformation takes decades.
Humanity:
Do good by building belonging.
Stewardship:
Be good by serving others.
Compounding:
Do well through continuous improvement.
My leadership journey
At the end of my life, I want to be able to look back knowing I fully expressed myself to help create organizations where humans can flourish.
For me, this looks like unlimited time horizons for people and organizations to compound learnings, deep conviction by leaders to uphold humanity, and fostering cultures where people are inspired to bring their ideas to work, feel safe all day, and go home fulfilled so they can be present with their families.
Mother Teresa stated: “If you want to change the world. Go home and love your family.” Businesses that send teammates home fulfilled can be the greatest force for good.
This is a journey that can only be accomplished with centuries in mind. Building for centuries gives leaders the opportunity to promote human flourishing.
Walk with me on this learning journey.
JOIN ME
It has been normalized to think in the short-term culture of 90-day sprints and private equity 5-year exit cycles. Join me in thinking for the long term. Institutions of greatness are not built quickly. I will share what I’m reading, what I’m learning, and what I’m seeing on my journey of building for centuries.
Let’s build great organizations with great people that will last for centuries. Do good. Be good. Do well.
"What would change if your business
objectives were measured in centuries?"
Join me in climbing this mountain in the distance. Receive weekly learnings to affirm your leadership for the long-term view.
Humanity
Learn to do good by building a company where people can come to work inspired, feel safe all day, and go home to their families fulfilled.
Stewardship
Learn to be good to serve the greater mission of your organization.
Compounding
Learn to do well through a patient yet ambitious journey of continuous improvement leading to long-term exponential outcomes.
Matthew’s Weekly Note: what I’m learning, reading, & seeing
BUILD TO FLOURISH AVAILABLE
NOW
A Framework To Transcend Generations
As the 4th generation & President, in my family business, I intimately appreciate why most family businesses fail. I was fortunate to stumble into the right mentors and the right books to provide me the guidance to navigate the transition to becoming President.
When I first started in my family business I didn't know where to start. So I grabbed my notepad and started taking notes. I did not have a book to refer to or to drink deeply from to find answers to my struggles. I found my way through conversations, books, and journaling.
Build To Flourish is the culmination of my conversations with mentors, hundreds of books, and my eight year transition of journaling to becoming President.
We need more family businesses in this world and I hope this book will be helpful to your journey to provide insights and wisdom for your successful transition to the first chair.
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
– Harry Truman
